God Didn’t Give Up on Me. Instead, He Called Me.

I've spent most of my life doing what I wanted and going after what I thought would make me happy. When I look back on those years, I’m still amazed by what Jesus did for me. He didn’t give up on me. Instead, He called me.

In Isaiah 43:1, the Lord tells Israel, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”

When I read those words, I think about the exact moment that Jesus called me. It felt like He actually called me by name. I will never have the words to describe how it felt in that very moment. He knew me. He knew the life I had been living, and instead of condemning me, He called me to Himself.

From that moment on, my life hasn’t been the same.

Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I’ve been learning what "daily" truly means. I’ve given up so many things that I once enjoyed. There are things I used to watch or listen to that I can’t anymore, and there are days when taking up my cross means laying down what I want and doing what I know He’s asking of me, which I feel is sometimes a lot.

As soon as Jesus redeemed me, that's when all of the trials and tribulations started. I faced circumstances that I couldn’t change or control, no matter how much I wanted to. I had to learn to trust Him when I couldn’t see how things would turn out. I’m still learning that today and it's a daily lesson.

James tells us to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials because the testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1:2–3, NIV). Paul also writes that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4, NIV).

Those are honest words. Paul starts with suffering, and I’m glad he does. Some of those circumstances hurt deeply. I can say that honestly and still give Jesus the glory for what He’s done in me through them. I’ve seen Him carry me through things I didn’t know how I would get through, and in the circumstances that still haven’t changed, He’s teaching me to put my hope and faith in Him alone.

Some who have not given their lives to Christ yet might ask, "Is following Jesus even worth it?" To those who might be asking, the answer is yes, more than you will ever know.

I’ll keep following Him, even when the world mocks and hates me. When I think back to that moment when He called me, I still come back to those words in Isaiah. Thou art mine.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for calling me. I’ll spend the rest of my life thanking You that I get to belong to You, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Great I AM.

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