“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

Last night I could barely move without something hurting. This morning, I am STILL sore! I ACHE is a result of a choice I made yesterday. With trees and bushes out of control and needing trimmed, I ELECTED, PICKED, or CHOSE what I would do with my time yesterday. The ‘pickin’ came with consequences that I now have to live with!

Of course I had no idea that I would ache so badly. It’s true…I’m not 25 any more! But since my head forgets to add 40 years to that number, I often think, act and move in defiance of my age. Maybe it’s as a form of rebellion! When “I can still do that” becomes a mantra, it MAY be time to sit down first and REALLY “count the cost” before electing to do something,

Today is Election Day, and millions of people across America will go to the polls and ELECT, CHOOSE or PICK who our governing representatives will be for the next several years. Seeing as how even JESUS participated in an election process, I think it is important that we Believers give the process some import!

“Jesus picked ME!” If you call yourself a Christian, please say that out loud several times. Feel that? Yeah…Pretty good feeling huh? The Bible makes it clear that Jesus’ choice of you was UNANIMOUS among those that got a vote…the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit! But before I get TOO caught up in the feeling of importance, it is important to look at the CONSEQUENCES that come with HIS decision and MY response!

The Bible tells me that Jesus picked ME…FOR A REASON! In other words, He has expectations that He EXPECTS ME to take on as OBLIGATIONS. To be ELECTED by God means that I have a choice in the process as well. Being selected because He expects to see some ‘FRUIT of Good Works’ from His choice, now puts on some aching pressure with consequences.

If Jesus is telling me that MY choices about HIS choices come with expectations and consequences, then choosing NOT to choose is not really a choice! It’s a judgement!   And ‘OUCH…’ that hurts even WORSE!

Got Fruit?!