Carried

Exodus 24

The Chosen Ones: Embracing Our Divine Election

Have you ever felt unworthy, inadequate, or like you don't measure up? Take heart, for there's a profound truth that can revolutionize your perspective: You are chosen. You are elected. You are carried by God Himself.

This isn't about political elections or earthly accolades. This is about a divine selection that transcends human understanding. It's about being carried into a relationship with the Creator of the universe, not because of our merits, but because of His unfathomable love.

The story of the Israelites in Exodus provides a powerful illustration of this concept. God tells Moses, "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." (Exodus 19:4) Notice the emphasis - God did the carrying. The Israelites didn't have to climb, struggle, or prove themselves worthy. They were simply carried.

This same principle applies to us today. We don't earn our way into God's favor. We don't campaign for His love. We simply open our arms wide and allow ourselves to be carried. It's reminiscent of a grandparent's love for their grandchild - all the child needs to do is reach out, and they're enveloped in an embrace of unconditional love.

But what are we carried into? The passage continues, "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:5-6)

We're carried into a covenant relationship with God. We're brought into His presence to be His priests, His representatives on earth. This isn't about earning salvation - that's already secured through Christ's sacrifice. This is about living out our identity as God's chosen ones.

The Ten Commandments, often viewed as restrictive rules, are actually a blueprint for a blessed life. They're not a job description but a health prescription. When we align our lives with God's ways, we experience the fullness of His blessings and become a light to the world around us.

This election, this choosing, isn't just about personal benefit. It's about becoming a conduit of God's love to others. It's about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and showing kindness to strangers. It's about planting gardens in concrete jungles and bringing hope to desolate places. Our election empowers us to be agents of transformation in a broken world.

But how do we live out this high calling? By communing with God. In Exodus 24, we see an extraordinary scene where Moses and the elders of Israel actually eat and drink in God's presence. This foreshadows the intimate communion we can have with God through Christ.

Jesus, at the Last Supper, established a new covenant through His body and blood. He invites us to His table, not because of our worthiness, but because of His grace. We come with nothing but our sins, and He meets us with forgiveness, restoration, and transformation.

This communion isn't just a religious ritual. It's a lifeline that sustains us through the deserts of life. Just as God provided manna, quail, and water for the Israelites in the wilderness, He provides spiritual nourishment for us today. All we need to do is open our mouths wide, and He promises to fill them (Psalm 81:10).

As we commune with God, something remarkable happens - we start to resemble Him. Moses' face shone with God's glory after being in His presence. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us, "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory."

This transformation isn't instant, but it's inevitable for those who keep turning their faces toward God. It's not about perfection, but progression. It's about allowing God's light to shine through our cracks and imperfections, illuminating the world around us.

In a world full of uncertainty and division, our calling is clear - to reflect the face of Jesus. Regardless of political outcomes or societal upheavals, we are anchored in Christ. As Hebrews 6:19 beautifully puts it, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

This hope isn't passive; it's active and forward-looking. Even in the midst of trials, like Jeremiah in prison, we're called to invest in God's promises for the future. We buy the field, so to speak, knowing that God's plans will ultimately prevail.

The story of Erica, a young girl from a family of drug dealers who became a radiant worshipper of Christ, reminds us of the transformative power of God's love. It shows us that no one is beyond the reach of divine election and transformation.

As we navigate the complexities of life, let's remember the prayer of St. Patrick:

"Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

This prayer encapsulates the all-encompassing nature of our relationship with Christ. He's not just a part of our lives; He is our life.

In conclusion, let's embrace our identity as God's chosen priests. Let's allow ourselves to be carried by His grace, covenant with Him in obedience, commune with Him intimately, and be consumed by His glory. As we do, we'll find ourselves transformed, reflecting His light in a world that desperately needs it.

Remember, you are elected not because of your perfection, but for His purpose. You are carried not because of your strength, but because of His love. You are called not to blend in, but to shine out. So lift your face to Him, open your arms wide, and let His glory shine through you. For in the end, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.