Choice Possession
I start most days by reading a verse or two from the Bible. I have been making my way through the New Testament for quite some time now. If you spend any time studying the Bible you will hear that the word is alive. One aspect of this is that a verse may speak to you one way and then in a completely new way when reading it again. This verse by verse read is not my first time through the Bible and the other morning I heard a new thing that struck me and has held on tight.
My husband and I love a good dinner out. Every February it seems as a way to celebrated Valentine’s Day and his birthday, both being on the 14th, we make reservations at our favorite steak place. Initially and in the days leading up to the reservation, the thought and even smell of a choice steak runs through my mind.
Choice is a word of multiple meanings but in this case it describes, the best and finest. Carefully handled and prepared with great care. We often hear choice used to describe steak and other foods but also additional finer things in life. A choice hotel, or dress, or beverage. Always a product that is of exquisite value and of great desire.
When someone makes a choice selection there is an insight about the individual. It says they like, enjoy and appreciate the finer things in life. The go for top quality selections.
In my NLT 1996 edition of the New Testement, I read the following verse and it caused me to pause, “And we, out of all creation, became His choice possession.” James 1:18b
I had never considered that God looked at me quit this way. I had accepted over time and after much counseling that God loved me, forgave me and had adopted me into His family as a joint heir with Jesus Christ. This we are told in Romans 8:17 where it says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”(NIV). So adopted as His child, yes, but a choice possession, really?
I have struggled over the years with negative self talk, those lies from Satan that permeate thought processes. But this almost dumbfounded me. I didn’t know what to say or think. I let it sink in a bit yet I could not fully absorb it.
I am, you are, God’s creme de la creme!! How amazing is it that our God who created the universe with a massive amount of plants, stars, land, vegetation, and species would call me and you His best of the best? And as a God who makes choice selections, we know He’s not settling for whatever happens to become available. He’s selective. He’s careful in choosing. And we may think we choose God but He choose us first.
If this strikes you the same way it struck me, keep thinking about it, ponder it until it becomes part of your thought process. Use it to combat fear, sadness and negative self-worth. Lean into it, enjoy it and smile when you think about it and never forget you are God’s choice possession.
JW