...from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:17-18 NIV
God is good.
He is for us.
He doesn't change.
Yet there's evil, suffering, hurt, destruction in the world.
The "anti" of who God is.
So He must be allowing that for a reason (maybe lots of reasons!)
One clue is found in this verse, & another in these first verses of James.
He wants us to grow up. To be mature in our faith.
Growing up includes fails, struggles, perservering.
And then there's this verse.
Chosen.
And
Some kind of first fruits.
Do you remember the kid at school who was always the last one picked on a team because everyone knew they'd be an anchor?
With our God, it's like He picks everyone first.
He sees you
Knows you
Knows our strengths and our weaknesses and chooses us anyway.
There are no favourites based on the world's performance measures.
We are known.
And loved
Chosen.
#dearlyloved
#childofGod
#known
#chosen