You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
- John 15:16
Each of the members had an opportunity to dramatically show off their acting skills as we laughed through various scenarios depicting friendship at its best and worst; we brainstormed and identified the different qualities that mysteriously draw friends together and we played a game of 'Friendship Bingo' to determine the qualities that we look for in a friend. One member of the group was sure she had no friends at all until she looked closely at the friendship qualities on the Bingo card and friends from many walks of life came to mind filling the spaces. As it turned out, she was the first to cry, "Bingo."
We opened our Bibles for spiritual insight as we considered why we choose our friends, thumbing through the pages until we all found the verse we were looking for. I asked the members of the group how they feel when they hear Jesus say, "I chose you"? Tears formed in the eyes of one lady, "I was never chosen by others because of my disability", she said. "I was always left out. Everyone would choose the popular ones to be friends with. Nobody wanted to be with me. So when I hear Jesus telling me that he chose me I feel like someone wants me. I feel important. I am God's chosen friend, even if others don't choose me."
It may be true that at all times God is present, yet there are times when God's felt presence is touchable. We were all touched right then by her vulnerability and simple faith. We are not alone. We have been chosen by a Friend who promises never to leave us.
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