What comes to mind when you see, or hear, the word wanted? For me, I think of the wanted dead or alive posters from the old westerns my dad used to watch, or the choosing of teams to play a game and wondering when you’d get picked, the higher the pick the better. I think of those families longing for a child, while others have children and call them unwanted or mistakes. I also think of the small letter one year, saying I was not accepted into physical therapy, compared to the packet I received the next year, congratulating me on my acceptance into not one, but several physical therapy programs.

I have a variety of experiences and ideas of what it is like to be wanted. I am sure you do, too. Some are filled with hope and anticipation, while others are filled with sorrow and fear. What I’ve seen in most, if not all of them, is the outcome seems to be based on something I’ve done or might do or an expectation of what may come. That is in all cases except one. I was reminded of it as I read through Ephesians again today.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Christ Jesus. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:4-5, NLT).

This is not something new, but it is deeply profound when I fully grasp the truth and walk it out. I don’t know about you, but I can forget this beautiful truth. Today, it reminds me:

1.     There is nothing I, or any of us, can do to earn God’s love. In Romans it says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2.     I am chosen. I belong and so do you, again, not because of what we’ve done, but because we were created by Him.

3.     The same is true for those that do not know Him but are running from and fighting Him.

4.     This is the good news: I am wanted! You are wanted!

We are not wanted like the posters from the old westerns, so there is no need to run, hide, or fight. Unfortunately, sometimes we act like it or cause others to run and hide. Instead, we’re wanted like a family, longing for a child.  He knows what we’ve done, but He still wants you and me. We all can believe and receive from His abundant love and grace. I am choosing to turn from a life of striving, fighting, running, and resisting  to one of resting in His arms and receiving all He has for us.

I’m wanted. You’re wanted. He has great plans for us.

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 1:7-8).