We don’t always get to choose the people that are in our lives. Sure, we can pick our friends, but we don’t get the choice when it comes to our family members, people we work with, other people we regularly run into, etc. I don’t know about you, but I know that there are often people in every category that I would not have picked if I had the choice.

This is precisely why today’s first reading is so striking. God made a covenant or agreement with us that we are his own and he will raise us high if we keep his commandments. God CHOSE us and continues to CHOOSE us despite all of the times we don't trust him, sin, choose things over him, etc. 

We aren’t just some background actor or non-playable character in a video game as God works in the lives of everyone on earth. We are desired and sought-after.

That really changes things when you reflect on it. Why wouldn’t we then want to follow the commandments He asks us to? Why wouldn’t we want to listen to Him?

How do I feel about the fact that God always chooses me?

Lord, thank you for always choosing me even when I don't feel like I deserve to be chosen. Help me to remember this and to always choose you back. Amen.