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. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17 NIV
I was just at the monthly seniors’ breakfast for my church when at my table the discussion somehow turned to athletic ability. A few confessed they never had much skill athletically and bemoaned the fact that they were chosen dead last in selecting teams. One lady said, “I didn’t even get chosen if it was pick-up ball. I got designated scorekeeper or ball-chaser.” We all laughed because those moments have less sting as we age. But there’s nothing that fills our heart much more than the realization, “I have been chosen!”
What a remarkable thought! The God of the Universe has chosen us! He has chosen me because he sees me as having great worth and value. He sees me as vital and significant for his supernatural work in this world.
I am chosen on purpose for a purpose. God does love me and wants me to feel adored and valued, but it is bigger than that. God has specifically chosen and appointed individuals to be valued co-workers with Him, being productive in His Kingdom. His choosing us and filling us liberates us from the pressure of trying so hard to accomplish.
His purpose means bearing fruit. Fruit changes us. Through us, it changes the world for Him. Lasting fruit is not manufactured by effort but is the natural outcome of "abiding" in Christ –remaining connected through prayer, the Word, and obedience.
His purpose is fruit that will last. Lasting fruit is on-going change in our lives. It’s not rotating through good days and bad, contented days and moody. It is internal transformation that is steady throughout our lives and becomes our characteristic. It is spiritual, eternal, and often initially unrecognized as a work of the Spirit until something could disrupt that characteristic, yet it remains steady. Lasting fruit extends to include the people we influence and the people brought to God through our winsome, attractive lives. It is Jesus-like ministry that endures beyond our own lifetime.
- Jesus provides the power for the purpose as we abide in Him, the Vine. Incredibly, as we live in Him, we never stop growing fruit. It gets “tastier” the longer we remain in Him, our lives inviting others to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Help me today, Jesus!