You know when you hear a phrase that you've heard a thousand times, (and even used yourself) but then one day someone says it in a way that makes you feel like you've never heard it before? Yeah? Well that happened to me today...
During church today, our Pastor told a story. I went something like this: Just this week he took his daughter to the pet shop to buy a new goldfish for the tank. Once they had decided which sort of fish they wanted, rather bemusingly for onlookers, the shop attendant asked Miss H which particular fish she wanted.
Miss H enthus
iastically chose one and the shop attendant dutifully went about chasing it around the tank to catch the very one desired. Once deposited in a plastic bag, she and her dad left the shop, fish in hand. Her chosen fish. She was the owner. It belonged to her.
At the risk of likening us all to goldfish (before you get too insulted... just pause... I can think of at least 2 other likenesses...), our Pastor went on to draw the parallel of us being chosen by our Heavenly Father. Being chosen isn't something we can bring about, earn or take any credit for whatsoever. I was overwhelmed with a renewed understanding of how undeserving I am. I didn't do or say anything that wow-ed God into it - in fact I'm pretty unremarkable on the whole and if I am honest, I spend much of my time either being far too nonchalant about such a gift or willingly doing the things that say anything but "thankyou".
And why were we chosen? Because it certainly wasn't to be put on a pedestal or to take any glory. It is for the praise of HIS glory. So that we can glorify and honor our creator and Father.
So while the rest of the sermon was far from being ego-centric, my mind wandered for a brief moment where I was humbled, reminded and somewhat thankful.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14
During church today, our Pastor told a story. I went something like this: Just this week he took his daughter to the pet shop to buy a new goldfish for the tank. Once they had decided which sort of fish they wanted, rather bemusingly for onlookers, the shop attendant asked Miss H which particular fish she wanted.
Miss H enthus
iastically chose one and the shop attendant dutifully went about chasing it around the tank to catch the very one desired. Once deposited in a plastic bag, she and her dad left the shop, fish in hand. Her chosen fish. She was the owner. It belonged to her.At the risk of likening us all to goldfish (before you get too insulted... just pause... I can think of at least 2 other likenesses...), our Pastor went on to draw the parallel of us being chosen by our Heavenly Father. Being chosen isn't something we can bring about, earn or take any credit for whatsoever. I was overwhelmed with a renewed understanding of how undeserving I am. I didn't do or say anything that wow-ed God into it - in fact I'm pretty unremarkable on the whole and if I am honest, I spend much of my time either being far too nonchalant about such a gift or willingly doing the things that say anything but "thankyou".
And why were we chosen? Because it certainly wasn't to be put on a pedestal or to take any glory. It is for the praise of HIS glory. So that we can glorify and honor our creator and Father.
So while the rest of the sermon was far from being ego-centric, my mind wandered for a brief moment where I was humbled, reminded and somewhat thankful.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14
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