Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Francis de Sales
Why Me?
The first question I asked after I was saved was “Why me?” because I couldn’t see anything of redeeming value in myself or why He would choose to redeem me, but that’s just the point. None of us can give a good reason except that God wanted to display His mercy in weak vessels. The Apostle Paul gave an explanation for this by writing that “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27), and “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29).
Why Not?
When God chose to save you and not others, we might ask why. But God says “Why not?” because He is the One Who chooses; not us. Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will remain–so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you” (John 15:16). God is the One Who appointed us to bear fruit for His glory; not the other way around.
Why You?
Why you, you might ask? I don’t know. I can’t explain why He chose you or me over others. Some hold to the belief that they were special and they claim to know why God called them. I couldn’t say that I deserved to be saved; none of us did. But that’s just the point. If we believe that God chose us because we were something special, we just don’t understand because not one of us was worthy (Romans 3:10-12). It is simply the fact that God said, “’I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:15-16).
Conclusion
Francis de Sales wrote, “Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.” So use the time, talent, and treasure that God’s given you and make the most of your calling. Don’t try to question why He called you–just thank Him that He did. That’s enough for me.
