Scripture: 1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. [1 Peter 1:1-2 NLT] Most everyone has gone through the experience of being selected for something. Early in life it is the pick-up game in sports. Two people are chosen as captains and then the captains chose the rest of the team. It was an awkward and alternating selection process until the last two were standing, waiting to be selected. If you were the last one picked … join the club. There is always a last one picked. It is a terrible feeling to be the last option for either team, but remember this … there are a lot of last picks making good money in professional sports these days. The important thing is being chosen. One of those experiences in my life was being chosen for college. I have shared that I did not have the greatest grades coming out of high school. They would have been considered above average, but not by a lot. When I went to community college straight out of high school it only got worse. So I stopped going to school for a while. When I decided to go back to school, few schools would give me a chance. Several turned me down and the one I wanted to attend was one of those schools. However, they did tell me they would consider accepting me if I went back to community college and proved that I could do the work. So I did just that and they accepted me. It was a great feeling knowing that I was now chosen to go to the school I really wanted to attend. In today’s Scripture we read where Peter uses this same language to refer to the people of God following Jesus Christ. He writes, “God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy.” I cannot even describe the feelings I have whenever I think that God chose me. Peter not only says that God chose me, but that God knew me as well. This is even more amazing to me. God knew me AND STILL chose me? That is absolutely nothing short of amazing. As we say in the communion liturgy, “… while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, this shows God’s love for us.” God chose us long ago says Peter. Long ago before we ever thought of getting right with God. Long ago before we even realized we needed God. Long ago before we surrendered to God, we were already chosen. God chose you, long ago, to be a part of God’s family. God CHOSE YOU! Today remember that God chose you! When the little things seem to be trying to pull you down, remember God chose you! When things aren’t going your way, remember that God chose you! When you aren’t sure if you should talk to your coworker about your faith, remember God chose you! When you think that parenting is too hard, remember God chose you! When you are trying to drum up the courage to change jobs, remember God chose you! Remember, God chose you! Prayer: Loving God, you truly know me and you chose me. Help me to believe and live this simple and profound truth today. Amen.