"How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son."
Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
Chosen before He laid the earth's foundation. Long before I drew my first breath, He had me in mind.
Decades ago, on a battle field in France, God had me in mind. As the young soldier, who didn't even really know Him, sat drinking his morning coffee, He whispered into the soldier's heart. "Hurry and get to your fox hole."
He didn't know that voice, and although he could see nothing menacing in the beautiful summer day, something compelled him to obey. He picked up his coffee cup and began to walk toward the hole he had prepared the day before.
Again the voice, "I said hurry." So he went walked a bit faster.
This time there was no denying the urgency in the voice. "Run!"
The soldier looked up and saw sunbeams bouncing off the wings of approaching enemy aircraft. The sound of rapid gun fire filled the air. The young soldier dove into his fox hole as bullets landed all around him. He felt something wet seeping into his back.
My Dad always laughs when he comes to this part of the story. "Oh no! I thought. I've been shot in the rear end."
As it turns out, a bullet had gone through his canteen spilling water all down his backside - and saving his rear end. Another had done right through his coffee cup. One found it's mark. Calmly he tied a tourniquet around his thigh to stop the bleeding where he had been hit in the leg. An unearthly peace filled that damp fox hole.
Even then He had me in mind. My Mom and Dad were not married until he came home from the long years of war. I was born the following year into a big, loving Italian family, because He had planned it that way.
How is it I have lived so long without taking into my heart of hearts the wonder of who I am in Him? I am chosen. I am "preapproved", and all the striving and yearning and seeking approval is so unnecessary. He loves me just as I am and is committed to making me all He knows I can be.
We are chosen in Him dear friends. Chosen.
Linking to Jennifer and her Love Idol community:
Blessings,
Linda
Photo: Me and my beloved Uncle Romeo
