Handpicked

My family took a trip to Ohio during the summer and we visited a dairy farm. They had a petting zoo area where you could see goats, sheep, cows, etc. Of course we had to get ice cream, but after that we went to feed the goats. I had some feed in my hand and these goats were huge, hairy, and hungry looking. All lined up at the fence waiting to see who would be the lucky winner for some extra snacks, but I wanted to find a special goat to give it to. I stood on my tiptoes to see behind the giant goats in front of me, and that was when I noticed a little goat in the background against the barn. He was black and white, while most of the others were solid colored. He was much smaller than the rest of the goats and he had ears that reminded me of Dumbo. This little guy was definitely the oddball of the pack. I had made my decision. I called him over and he came right towards me. I stuck my hand out for him to take the feed, and the bigger goats came over to push him around and make him take a step back into the shadows again. I was determined to give my attention to him because I knew he felt overlooked. I wanted him. I wanted him just as he was. The droopy ears that flipped out at the end, the odd speckles, the smaller size. I wasn’t thinking about what the other goats were doing because I just wanted to care for the little goat. I wanted him to come to me even when there were bigger goats standing in his way and even when he couldn’t see me, but he heard my voice.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

I noticed that little goat because I’ve been in the same place before, and I’m sure you have too. I’ve felt stepped on, overlooked, and always in the background. The afterthought. The one everyone noticed last, if they even noticed me. Everyone else seemed bigger or faster or stronger or prettier or smarter or funnier, but God gently reminds me, “No, I pick you. You are the one I want to care for and nurture. Don’t compare who you are or what your calling is to other people or what they are doing. Everyone is on their own path, and each trail looks a little different. You may feel like you are in the background and constantly overlooked, but I see you. I always have. I pick you. Over and over and over again, I pick you.” I’m in high school and there are still a lot of times I feel invisible to those around me, but Jesus sees me and He always has. I don’t need to be seen by this world because I am seen by Him.

This reminds me of the story of David. He was the youngest of 8 sons and the one in the field caring for the sheep. God saw David and all of his hard work. He was not overlooked. God chose David to be king. In the Gospels, Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors. He chose to see them even when their entire community shunned them. He chose to love them.

The Bible is full of unqualified people that God chose. He chose you because He sees you, He hears you, and He wants you.

You may feel overlooked by others, but you are handpicked by God.