As I read the account of the replacement of Judas in Acts 1, I could not help but pause and wrestle through the story from a different angle. Two men; Joseph and Matthias. Lots are drawn. One man chosen. One man...not.
I am rather tender hearted. And honestly, it is difficult for me to imagine anyone potentially feeling left out. There is no record of words exchanged or any feelings, so I am left to speculate. Matthias potentially felt honored. What an incredible opportunity. A Divine calling. A great ministry.
And Joseph? What thoughts and emotions did he experience when he did not hear his name? When he realized that he had not been chosen? I want to be believe that even though he may have experienced the momentary presence of grief, he moved on to rejoice with his brother Matthias. And that is because I prefer happy endings.
What would allow Joseph, or any of us, to successfully move on from this moment? Perspective is key. It is a God centered perspective that propels sacred forward momentum. It is His perspective through us that keeps us from getting stuck...or continually looking back.
Life is a series of events made up of varying opportunities. In every opportunity, we have the choice to remain hopeful and grounded within our intrinsic value and purpose. Or not.
I believe that the focus need not be on having been passed over for an opportunity.
It seems the wiser choice is to remain steadfastly fixed on the sovereign God
Who chose me for something else.
My something else.
My purpose. Your purpose. My destiny. Your destiny. My work of ministry. Your work of ministry. My life calling. Your life calling. Each of us, as God’s beloved masterpieces, completing the good works that God planned in advance for us (Eph. 2:10).
We can become discouraged when left out. Or passed over. It can be difficult to wonder if we have been overlooked. Undervalued. Not seen. It is easy to doubt ourselves. Or even God.
And so I remind myself, and you...life is guided by a loving, knowledgeable, sovereign hand. There is a record of every single day of your life (Psalm 139:16). When we possess the God given talents and abilities to do the work that He has called us to...we will hear our name. Dearest Masterpieces, the lot will always fall on us when it is our time to shine.
