Being Chosen

Each day we arise from our beds and fall into our familiar patterns, sometimes not even thinking of what we are doing, occasionally forgetting to do something that was not in our routine.  Rarely do we think of ourselves as being "chosen", nor this day "special".  For the most part, we look upon it as just another like all the rest that have come and gone. St. Paul, however, reminds us that we have been chosen for a purpose, for a mission:  "In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intentions of his will. (Eph. 1:11)., and St. Peter continues the theme:  "You are a 'chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises' of him who calls you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Pt 2: 9).  Being chosen, being destined, phrases that made more sense to me this morning as I read an e-mail from my Godson, Ryan, who is a medevac pilot in Afghanistan.  While he was away from his base camp for a bit of assigned R & R in another location,  his tent was hit with mortar shells,  two of his co-pilots were wounded and had to return to the States for treatment. He questions why he was spared.   He further reflects that if he makes it safely to December, when his tour in Afghanistan will be completed, it must be for a purpose. What is that purpose?  He searches for it. In his circumstances, when safety, life and death are starkly on the line, how poignant is that search?  When getting out of bed or going to bed and not knowing when a mortar will fall, making every moment a gift, one has to wonder what purpose does God have in mind?  For all of us, the question is equally important and each day, one to be treasured and used well in announcing the praises of the God who has chosen us as light and salt bearers.
Bro. Rene