You have been chosen by God himself – you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own – all this so that you may show to others how God called you our of the darkness into His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 TLB

I sometimes forget to bring my shell bag to the beach and consequently end up filling my pockets with the unique, beautiful shells I can’t resist picking up. I see them and find it impossible to leave them in the sand, their intricacies unappreciated. Isn’t it amazing to know that God chose us? He sees us with an unlimited potential to make the world more beautiful. He brought us into His wonderful light to make our lives a shining example of His magnificent love. We belong to Him, we’re His beloved, and when He picked us up out of the mire and darkness, our names left an eternal imprint on the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16).

When we go through tough seasons in like it can feel like we’re the shells left in the sand. Unseen and walked past, our pain and heartache quietly ignored. In out hearts we know that’s a terrible lie the enemy launches against everything we know is true of our Father. God is close to the brokenhearted and He fells our pain as deeply as we do. And He will never ignore the names inscribed on His hands. Our lives are a journey into His waiting arms, an incredible gift to be enjoyed and grateful for every step of the way. Even when the difficult parts get long and we get anxious. He’s faithful to calm and comfort us.

The next time we feel unseen or it feels like our prayers aren’t getting through, let’s imagine God bending down to pick us up – because He will. He’ll send a friend to encourage us. He’ll put someone in our path to reveal His heart. Or He’ll meet our need in the most unexpected way. “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” ( Isaiah 46:4 NIV)

Remember that even in the challenges, we are the chosen and the carried.

Father,
Thank you for picking me up and carrying me through.