I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20

 

Think back to your school days, out on the playground. Did you ever experienced being picked first for a sport team?

 

It’s a wonderful feeling to be chosen! Not only do you feel like you matter but you know you’ve got a role to play. But were you ever picked last? No one wants to feel unwanted– that sick feeling in your stomach as you gradually feel smaller and smaller.

 

Our hearts were made to feel chosen, and cherished. The whole story of the Bible is about realizing how much God wants you. From creation, where God gets down in the dirt to form humans and breathes His breath into us, to the way He sends His Son, Jesus, to die to save us– all of it says you’re wanted and worth paying for!

 

From the moment God chose you, He dreamed of the shared story you’d have with Him (John 15:16). You can see God’s desire for you and every other human in Jesus’s command to go and share the Good News of His love and forgiveness. God not only picks us to be part of His family but invites us to work with Him. Jesus said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

 

Instead of doing everything Himself, God brings us into the story. He’s saying to you: “Let’s do this together! And let’s invite everyone!”