He Chose Me

Ephesians 1:3-14 is still causing me to reflect and dig deep; to the point where my brain is hurting! Just in case you need a refresher on what the scripture says...

Ephesians 1:3-14
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his site. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment to bring all things under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory.

What has completely stumped and boggled my mind is this whole idea of "predestination." It is so hard to fathom that God; the soverign God of the universe; my Lord and savior would choose ME! Why choose me out of the millions and millions of people that inhabit this earth? And to top that off, he choose me BEFORE the foundation of the universe? So, my path (aka - plan, walk, journey, etc...) has been laid out for me? Does God "choose" only those individuals that he knows will accept Him as his Lord and savior? Was this done at random, not knowing who would answer His call? Does this mean, those of us who are "called out ones" do not have free-will?

This topic of election/predestination/adoption has completely peaked my curiousity. I have started sifting through some information on the internet (which of course causes my head to hurt even more). Who knows if I'll fully understand the concepts, but they are intriguing none the less.

What boggles my mind the most is that God has chose me, and others to be "called out." We are to be different, holy, blameless. I have to ask myself.... am I living in a way that reflects this "called out" status? Would others that view me and the way I live, do things, treat people be a honoring reflection of who God is?

Lord, please foster in me a desire to live my life as one of your servants. Help me lived the "called out" life you desire for me.