We did not happen to be–we were chosen by God to exist.
Mother Angelica
The Lord said, “Before I formed you in your mother’s body I chose you.
Before you were born I set you apart to serve me.” Jeremiah 1:4b-5a New International Reader’s Version
Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love. Ephesians 1:4 Living Bible
“The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God,
precious in God’s eyes, called the Beloved from all eternity and held safe in an everlasting embrace …
We must dare to opt consciously for our chosenness
and not allow our emotions, feelings, or passions to seduce us into self-rejection.”
Henri Nouwen
“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.” John 15:16The Message
But you are God’s “chosen generation”, his “royal priesthood”, his “holy nation”, his “peculiar people”—all the old titles of God’s people now belong to you. It is for you now to demonstrate the goodness of him who has called you out of darkness into his amazing light. 1 Peter 2:9 J.B. Phillips New Testament
You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Colossians 3:12 The Passion Translation
