“Please pick me!” It’s what kids say when they are lined up to be chosen for teams or group events. “Please pick me”…. The thing is it’s okay when you are the one choosing or you know that your friend is going to pick you. The problem arises when you aren’t necessarily one of the popular ones, not good at sport or whatever the team is and know that you quite possibly will be the last one standing when everyone else has been allocated a spot.
I was reading about a guy name Justus today who had his own “please pick me” moment as he was lined up against another guy name Matthias so that the group could decide which one of them would be chosen as a replacement for Judas Iscariot who had betrayed Jesus. If chosen he was to become one of the 12 disciples. The group cast lots to decide and only one was chosen….. and it wasn’t Justus. (Acts 1:23)
Justus’ story got me thinking about when we aren’t picked even when we’ve hoped, prayed, worked for and wanted something really badly. Whether it’s a job we really desired and have worked hard for, a relationship we have our heart set on, a team or just other’s noticing we exist and have value.
Most of us if we are honest have had a “please pick me” moment, and then much like Justus realised we weren’t the one. But I really believe it’s our response when this happens that matters most and our subsequent attitudes and belief in ourselves and God’s hand upon our life.
What do we do and how will we respond to what may feel like rejection or being overlooked?
We get to choose whether we have a great attitude that will set us apart and cause us to grow, or one that will leave us feeling disgruntled and in danger of giving up and becoming bitter about the outcome.
History records that Justus called Barsabas went on to become Bishop of Eleutheropolis, and is venerated as Saint Justus of Eleutheropolis. He obviously recovered from not being picked, and became a leader and influencer in his own right. God had another plan for him and Justus rather than giving up and walking away from the group kept loving, serving and seeking to be the best version of who God had called him to be.
The key is to just keep looking at Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, to trust the process and to keep moving forward with a great attitude. To hold onto the truth that everything is going to work out in the long term because God is faithful and has a plan for our lives that is exceedingly good. (Ephesians 3:20).
A great attitude hinges on trusting the process even when that looks like things are not going quite to our plan, or when we feel overlooked or get knocked back. To have the attitude that even if one opportunity or strategy does not get the results or our work does not get picked, that we can still learn from the process and choose to change some things to ensure we continue to grow and get better.
A great attitude means we will continue to pray and seek God for His wisdom and plan for us, while we continue to do our best at whatever we put our hand to. If we are faithful with a little, God says He will trust us with more and bring the increase. “If you are faithful in the little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (Luke 16:10)
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matthew 25:21)
Today, keep your head and courage up because God has a plan and a purpose for you. Even if you or your work hasn’t been picked or you’ve not been recognised yet, know that God sees you. He sees every step you take, all the work you put in, every knock you get back up from, every negative comment you brush off, every offense you overlook and every disappointment you bounce back from, and He knows that it’s all building character in you and conditioning you for breakthrough and greatness!
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” (W.Churchill)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Prayer: Lord I want to have a great attitude even when it seems like things are taking a long time or I’m not getting chosen. Please help me to stay the course, to trust the process and to have the courage to continue. In Jesus name Amen.
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