Sought Out

by Linda Grabeman

I was always the last girl picked in gym class. It didn’t matter what sport — my name was the final choice. With each round of players chosen, I’d still be waiting, silently whispering, “Pick me!”

We all have left-out stories.

Not asked, turned down, overlooked.

Whatever your “not-picked” story, this verse tells the best “wanted” story. EVER

“You will be called Sought Out.” Isaiah 62:12 (NIV)

Sought out.

Why?

Long ago this world was taken captive by an evil Prince of Darkness. The King of heaven will give up His rightful glory to become one of us. It’s really quite a daring rescue.

Jesus is passionate about this mission.

He takes on our lowly human form. He teaches, touches and changes lives for three years.

Now He sees all the signs lining up with the prophecies. He knows what must come. The Cross. But first the trials.

One more time He needs the company of the men he loves the most.

He calls His closest followers, His dearest friends to eat with Him. Even the one who will betray Him with a kiss.

He has parting words, but they don’t understand.

Oh, the dread of what is to come. The sequence of events nearly at hand swirls frenetic through His mind.

 

 Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

This is not normal love. It has been called “Divine insanity”, and a crazy love it is.

Get this:

The plant He created

produced the thorns

which will make the crown

rudely, arrogantly smashed on His brow.

The mines of ore He buried deep in the earth

form the nails fiendishly, gleefully

hammered into His hands and feet.

Crazy love.

Those lips which spoke peace now cracked and swollen from dehydration.

Those hands which touched the lepers and healed the blind now torn and bleeding.

He strains to carry the Cross because He knows we’ll collapse under the weight of our sins. 

He cries out in thirst because we feel bone-dry for love, yearning for real meaning, longing for identity.

But here’s the worst: He cries out to His Father. No response. No “Attaboy“ or “That’s My Beloved Son“.

Just silence.

He loses Oneness with the Father so we could be called sons and daughters of God.

He dies alone, shunned, and scorned so that we could feel desired, accepted and affirmed.

                      I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away 

He knew that some days we’d need to know there was just one person who thought we were worth dying for.

                                                                                   Chosen.

                  “Then you will be called, ‘The Lord’s Own People, the Ones He Rescued!” (NCV)

The Lord’s Own.

          Sought Out.

                    Rescued.

We need to Velcro those words over our hearts.

 The Lord’s Own. Sought Out. Rescued.

 Remember again what Jesus did to win you back. 

If going to the Cross was required to win you back, it was worth it to Him. 

That identity is a shield to heal, protect and empower your heart.