Taken

I don't want to sound arrogant or somehow highly spiritual, but this idea of being Taken - or maybe the better word that Nouwen uses - "chosen" by God has never been difficult for me to conceptualize. I know that there have been several times that I have read scriptures such as...

Ephesians 1:11

Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago.

1 Peter 1:4

For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

There is also another scripture that talks about us being co-heirs with Christ, as if we have been given a similar status as Christ as the Beloved of God.

These verses have resonated with me for as long as I can remember. I believe that this assurance has been a great backdrop for a sense of confidence that I have always felt, both in approaching life as well as approaching God. I cannot remember a time that I have ever had self-rejection such as Nouwen describes or even much self-doubt for that matter. Instead, for as long as I can remember, I have always been confident in my abilities and in my standing.

I know that is not necessarily the case with many people and I wonder what it is that allows me to have such an assurance. I ask myself questions such as, "Do I really understand what it means to be the chosen of God, or am I simply confident in my own abilities?". I feel that I have worked hard all through my life to attain the skills I want, to achieve my goals, to make more money, etc., etc., but it has been a rare occasion that I have ever been unsuccessful in my attempt. There have been times when life has come out differently than I would have liked, but I could still say that I was successful.

Would my feeling of being chosen remain if I had been born into a family that didn't know of hard work and had an expectation of success? Would I be able to relate to this foundational truth that allows me to understand being the Beloved? I don't think I will be able to iron this out in one week because this has to be a life-long commitment to cultivate the ongoing love relationship between myself and God.

Finally, Nouwen pointed out three disciplines that will allow me to continue to cultivate this love relationship. The one that jumped off the page to me was that of being a part of a community where being chosen is continually affirmed. I am so thankful that I am part of a wonderful community now where this happens. Further, my family relationships bring me closer to this truth every day. May this always be a symptom of love amongst us!