The other day, I was talking to one of our friends named Jim. He was telling me this story about when he was 8 years old and his mom had a baby. His father came to pick him up from the house to take him to the hospital to see the new baby. When they arrived, they stood in front of a big window looking into the nursery at all of those newborn babies. The nurse looked up, recognized the father and walked over to one of the cribs and pointed and said, "This is your baby sister!" Jim was wide-eyed and so excited to have a baby sister.
A little later that day, Jim's father sat down with his son and began to tell him the story about when he was born. Jim's father was a wise man who loved his family. He began to tell him, "Jim, when you were born, there was a great big window just like the one you saw today. Your mother and I stood there looking through the window at all of those babies in the nursery. The nurse said to us, 'You can have any baby you want in this nursery.' We looked them all up and down, and Jim, we chose you."
Jim was adopted, and his father wanted him to know that he was handpicked. He was special, and he was chosen. His father went on, "Jim, your mom and I could have chosen any baby, but we chose you. You are valued, and you are loved—don't let anyone tell you differently!"
I love that story because I believe that's what our heavenly father is saying to us today. He could have chosen anyone, but He chose you! He appointed you! He put greatness on the inside of you. You are valued, and you are loved—don't let anyone tell you any differently!
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16, NIV)