Chosen for the Best

As a girl who often battles comparison, I have often felt drawn to the verses in Acts 1:22-26. In this passage, we read of two men who have both faithfully served God and walked with Jesus during his earthly ministry. These two men are each considered to take Judas’ place as the twelfth disciple. I am sure the suspense built as the eleven apostles gathered to cast lots to see who God would select for this special place of service. After each was carefully considered and prayed over, only one would be chosen.

“And they put forward two; Joseph called Barsabbas, also called Justus and Mattias. And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (ESV)

Both served well.  

Both faithfully walked with Jesus. 

Both were qualified. 

But…

Seemingly, one was chosen. One was rejected. 

One was spotlighted. One faded away into the shadows.

One was accepted. One was not. 

I have often thought about how Justus felt to have all eyes on him and not be selected. 

Maybe you know what that feels like. 

Her work was chosen, but yours was not. 

He chose her but not you.

She got the job, but you did not. 

She got the favorable diagnosis. You did not.

One thing is for sure. Comparison steals our joy and confidence. 

If you are honest, do you find yourself full of questions when “she” gets an opportunity and you do not? Does rejection make you feel envious of her and resentful toward God? How do you process rejection?  

The questions, “Why did you not choose me, Lord?” and “Why her and not me?” can often cloud our view of what God is doing in us. It puts our focus on what God isn’t doing instead of what He is doing. It blinds us only to see what we don’t have instead of what we do have. 

Comparison puts our focus on “her” when it should be on HIM. 

When we look at this verse, it teaches us that sometimes it isn’t a question of one person being more worthy and one being less worthy as to why they are given specific opportunities in the kingdom of God. Sometimes there is more going on than what our eyes can see. 

Justus was not given the position of a twelfth disciple because he would go on to serve in a different assignment. One perhaps that was better suited for his personality. One quieter and less known for a reason. One better suited for his extraordinary gifts and abilities. God hadn’t rejected him, but He had other ways he would use him to spread the gospel and encourage his people.  

According to tradition, Joseph became Bishop of Eleutherapolis and would later die a martyr. But, the most significant and courageous thing we should say about this man, who was strong in faith, was that he trusted God enough never to let rejection keep him from finding his special place to serve. 

Some assignments will be for her. Some will be for you. 

When feeling rejected, our questions should be, “If this assignment isn’t mine, Lord, then show me the one specifically for me. If it isn’t your will to serve here, then where? Help me trust you, Lord, to choose the best for me.”

So today, let’s not focus on the assignments we weren’t given. Instead, let us focus on the ones we have been given. 

The enemy loves to have us focus on the wrong things and twist our perspectives to one of mistrust to entice us to compare ourselves to her. However, God compares us to no one, so why should we? 

Returning to the verse, let us take special notice of choosing between these two faithful men. They cast lots. They sought God’s will and let the decision fall on Him. We must do the same.  

What lot HAS fallen to you today? What HAS God chosen you for?

Let us seek God’s will for our lives and surrender the rest to Him. Then, when we find that difficult, cast all our cares upon Him and leave them there.

Trust the One who knows you well enough to provide you with the best opportunities for You. 

See you in the field, 

Susan