Certain things have requirements. For example, to become a doctor, you are required to go through many years of medical school, excel in exams, and commit to hands-on training. It is vigorous and timely. Similarly, becoming a lawyer, surgeon, teacher, and so on. Even getting a driver’s license has its own requirements. There’s very little in life, you’ll find, that does not have one requirement or another.
The question today is: What is required for someone to be chosen by God? Perfection? A life without sin or mistake? No, and to prove it, look at the story of Mary and her complete transformation. See the situation she was in when she was chosen by Jesus.
“But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).” John 20:11-16
Keep in mind that a legion of demons was living inside of Mary when she first met Jesus. She was not a perfect woman, she lived a life of sin, but she was chosen, and from that moment, she dedicated her life completely to God. If it were today, many would say, “She is a sinner. How could she be the first to see Jesus? Why not a disciple?” But Mary was chosen not for her perfection but for her complete surrender. And what about you? Are you waiting to be worthy? There’s no need. Simply surrender.
May the God of the Bible bless you!
Bishop Bira Joshua