GETTING PICKED

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last" (John 15:16).

I will never forget the day in junior high school when I went to the gymnasium to view the list of those who would make the basketball team. Several of us went excitedly to see who was on the list and who was not. I made it! The feelings of exhilaration were beyond description for a fourteen year old. Those who didn't make it were sad and downcast.

Most of us growing up either landed on "picked" or the "unpicked" side of life. I often heard my daughter say, "I was the last or second to last to get picked for sports in gym class. I wasn't very competitive." (She wanted to be more involved in athletics but didn't have a lot of confidence.)

It is awesome to be picked by the God of the universe to be on His team. When God chose you, He knew what He was doing. God doesn't always pick those who have the greatest skill, the greatest aptitude, or even the greatest personality. However, He always has something in mind for those He picks.

There is one thing He requires of those He picks. They are to be fruit-bearers. They are not to be fruit-makers, but fruit-bearers. Our goal should not be to bear fruit. Our goal should be to know the One who chose us and makes the fruit. When we really know the one who chose us, fruit will be a natural by-product.

Today, as you begin your workday, consider where you will drop some fruit. It might be by praying for a co-worker. It might be by simply greeting someone cheerfully during lunch. It might be by leading someone to the Savior today. Share your fruit freely.