One Marvelous Reason Why God Calls Us to Himself

Lori here,

Have you ever wondered why God chose us as His children? Me too. Today I’m sharing how an ordinary seashell and a beach week prize showed me one marvelous reason why the God of the universe invites us into a relationship with Himself.

“Why did you choose an olive shell?”

My granddaughter’s question caught me by surprise. We’d spent the weekend at the beach enjoying the sun, the water, and each other’s company. At the beginning of the week, I announced two contests and two prizes. The first prize went to whomever found the first olive shell. The other prize went to whomever found the prettiest olive shell.

Our grands love shell hunting and contests. As soon as we hit the beach, we started searching. Andrew found the first olive shell (although Lauren disputes the win). At the end of the week, each child entered one olive shell to be considered for the prettiest shell award.

Lauren took that prize.

Lauren’s Question

Later that day, however, she asked her question. Why, with more than thirty different types of seashells on the beach, did I choose the olive shell as the prize-winning shell?

“I don’t know,” I said, “except that I like them. Other shells are prettier. Some are more rare, but I just like them.”

My for-no-good-reason for choosing olive shells as the favored seashell of our vacation reminds me of the way God chose Abraham out of all the people of the world to set His love on. He chose Him out of a sea of people, not because Abraham was seeking God or because he was wise or moral. He didn’t do anything to deserve God’s love or catch His attention. God simply chose him to be the father of a nation of people set apart for His glory.

Moses described this in Deuteronomy 7:6-8: “You are a people holy to the lord your God. The lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.”

Abraham’s Family

Out of Abraham He raised up a family—a messed-up, back-sliding tribe—to display His faithfulness and love. He led them in the wilderness, fed them manna, and established them as a nation.

He humbled them, disciplined them, and provided for them. In the fullness of time, He sent His Son to die, not only for their sins, but for the sins of the world. When Christ died and rose again, He flung open the doors of heaven for “whosoever will believe,” and invited each of us into a relationship with Him.

Olive Shells & God’s Love

“My love of olive shells reminds me of God’s love for me,” I told Lauren that morning on the beach. “I did nothing to earn God’s attention. I’m not the prettiest, or the smartest, or the most unique. Yet God set His love on me. He called me into a relationship with Himself. I didn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, but wonder of wonders, He loves me—and He loves you.

“We’ll never fully understand why, but we should be grateful.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Lord willing, my grandchildren and I will hunt for olive shells again next year. With every seashell I tuck into my pocket, I’ll remember God’s gracious favor in calling me to Himself. With King David, I’ll bow my heart before Him and say, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? (1Chronicles 17:18).

How About You?

If God has called you to Himself and invited you into His family, join me in marveling at His loving kindness. If you haven’t yet accepted His invitation, what are you waiting for? He chose you, opened your eyes to His love, and drew you to this blog post. This isn’t a coincidence. It’s an invitation.

I hope you accept.