Outsider Insight – {Chosen on Purpose}

Outsider Insight
Chosen on Purpose
By: Aleesa McArthur

Many times during the week the phrase “I’m so messed up, why would Jesus love me or even use me?” can be heard. The human nature has skewed our culture and created a misconception of who we really are. The world deceives us by telling us that no one is going to love us because we are not “perfect.”We feel like we have no purpose or identity in ourselves. Even if we realize who we are, we may not feel worthy to even be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Isaiah 42 talks about how Jesus was chosen by God with a divine purpose of bringing justice to people. The first verse paints a beautiful picture of the love that the Father has for His Son. “This is My Servant; this is My Chosen One; I delight in Him. I have put My Spirit on Him; He will bring justice to the nations” (v1). In the middle of the verse, it talks about the Holy Spirit being poured out on Jesus. Similarly, God has chosen us, poured out His Spirit, and called us to a divine purpose as well. In the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy he talked about what Jesus did for us. “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to life through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:9-10). We were not at our best, in fact we were at our worst when Jesus died for us. Because of the love of Jesus, we have a purpose. Isaiah 43 tells us “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine”
The Lord has redeemed us and called us each by name. He knows us better than we think we know ourselves. He has given us, as Christians, a calling on our lives. Amy Gelnette says that our purpose is “to spread the word and love of God to all we can in our lifetime.” This looks different for people because the Lord uses us on different ways, if we allow Him too.
“GOD HAS PURPOSE FOR YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO BE OPEN TO IT AND ALLOW HIM TO USE YOU.” (George Nicholson)
He could be calling you to long-distance missions or to missions in your area. No matter where you are, that is your mission field. We are all called to a life of purpose. We need to assume our position as a daughter or son, because, through Jesus, that is who we are! Stop believing that He can’t use you. He is willing, are you? Tofer Paul posed this challenge of “changing your mindset from you trying to convince Him to use you to you convincing yourself that He wants you to use you.”