March 23, 2023

Choices as the Chosen ~ Valerie Ronald

                                                                                                                                           image credit: Wallpaper Access
            

 The memory is vivid, of sitting tall in my desk in grade four, singing my heart out as my teacher walked up and down the rows listening for singers she thought good enough to join a choir. When she chose someone, she tapped on their desk. I did not receive a tap. After all these years I can still recall the disappointment of not being chosen. Now I know I am chosen, which makes all the difference.

God’s Chosen

I see our calling as Christian writers symbolized by an inverted triangle representing choices. The most important criterion begins with our position as chosen children of God. This is the broad top of the inverted triangle, from which all choices stem. Throughout His word God tells us that those who follow Him in faith are also chosen by Him. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were God’s chosen people from which the Messiah would come. With the new covenant instituted by Jesus, those who believe He is the Messiah, God’s Son, and accept Him as their Savior also become His chosen people, holy and dearly loved. (Col. 3:12 NIV) We are chosen but we also have the freedom to choose whether or not we accept Christ’s invitation to be one of His own. It sounds confusing, I know. The theology of election and predestination is a huge topic of study for another time.

Choosing Our Calling

When God “tapped on my desk” I already knew I wanted to write. The desire and aptitude was evident since I was young. I pursued education as a journalist and chose writing-related jobs. While raising my family I filled journals with musings and stories. Even before I knew God, He had already chosen how I would serve Him. It was a given that I chose to write for Him, because that is the desire He put in my heart before I was born.

Here the inverted triangle narrows to individual choice, guided and influenced by God. His Holy Spirit influenced my choice to be a writer. I am blessed with deep joy and satisfaction in the working out of my calling because His desire for me is also my desire.

“For we are His creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.” (Eph. 2:10 NET)

Choices Within Our Calling

At a time when pursuing my writing seemed impossible, I recall praying for the circumstances I now enjoy. Long periods of uninterrupted time, resources and tools at my fingertips and encouragement from those who recognize my calling. Now comes the fun part where God gives me liberty to make choices within the parameters of being a Christian writer. To quote Ann of Green Gables, He has given me “scope for the imagination.” Prefaced by prayer, I listen for His voice in my spirit, prompting me to pursue topics, story ideas and projects that spark my imagination and suit my creative voice.

Now the inverted triangle narrows, pointing to specifics like markets, audiences, genres, topics, styles and word selection. This is where I feel like a child in a toy store ˗˗ so many wonderful choices! Having been a writer for many years, I find my ability to make good choices increasing with experience and self-education. God has given me a reasonable mind and a predisposition toward words, so I am constantly challenged to reflect Him in my choices.



        Wonderfully made, my days were chosen for God's book before one came to be

I am chosen by grace to be one of God’s people, holy and dearly loved

I choose to write because He created me to do good works

My choices reflect His Spirit at work in my life

Chosen by God, I choose to serve Him

with choice words

a channel for

Christ

 


   More of Valerie's work can be read on her blog:

     https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com/



11 comments:

  1. Thank you, dear Valerie, for this wonderful and refreshing reflection on our "choices as (the) chosen."
    Amen to: "I am blessed with deep joy and satisfaction in the working out of my calling because His desire for me is also my desire."
    I love your inverted triangle poem. Beautiful truth.
    Blessings.

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    1. Wendy, your comment means so much. I was thinking of this verse when I wrote the sentence you referenced, "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Ps. 37:4

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  2. I loved the clever use of the triangle shape in your final poem!

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    1. Thank you, Tracy. It wasn't intentional. It just "grew" at the end of the post!

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  3. Hi Valerie. What a thoughtful post! It's so wonderful to know God has chosen us to be writers. I particularly related to your Anne of Green Gables quote and what follows:
    He has given me “scope for the imagination.” Prefaced by prayer, I listen for His voice in my spirit, prompting me to pursue topics, story ideas and projects that spark my imagination and suit my creative voice.

    It's the Spirit who prompts us, inspires us, and gives us the ability to pursue our writing. For this we praise Him.

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Sandi. Yes, He deserves all praise for making Himself known through us.

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  4. Hello, Valerie. What a creative post. Love your idea of the inverted triangle to choices and calling. The juxtaposition of the teacher’s rejection and God’s acceptance and call by the tap on the desk is wonderful. I can almost see His hand tapping on your desk as you gaze upward in response. Lovely. The poem at the end is an excellent finish. What a great post. Thank you.

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  5. Thank you for your encouraging comment, Sharon. I see God helping me turn a negative memory into a useful illustration as diffusing of the negativity. He is so good!

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  6. Nancy Young9:40 am GMT-7

    Hi Valerie, Love your post. It definitely resonates with me. I had an email from a dear friend recently who told me a verse in James that I quoted, that talks living out your faith by action, is inspiring her to do just that. Even though the quote was in a fictional story, God used it to touch her life. That is why I write, giving Him all the glory!

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  7. Thanks for commenting, Nancy. What a privilege it is when God uses our writing to touch a life. Blessings as you continue in your calling.

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  8. Valerie, I sit beside you in the Grade 4 class. I get the disappointment of being passed up for something you so wanted. Thank you for sharing.

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