She is Chosen

What does it mean to be chosen? The formal definition of chosen is “one who is the object of choice or divine favor” (emphasis added).^[1] We have probably all experienced times in our lives when we were chosen for something, whether it was being part of a sports team, being asked by that certain boy to a high school dance, or being the one selected for a job. In any scenario, we were chosen because we exhibited characteristics and attributes that were highly favored for that role.

Phebe Is Chosen

The apostle Paul, a former persecutor of Christians, was one of the most influential people of the New Testament, with Jesus having directly chosen Him on the road to Damascus to continue the mission of spreading the gospel all over the world (see Acts 9:1-9). Who, then, would be worthy to be chosen to deliver Paul’s letter to the Romans, a message that conveyed that we are justified by God through the blood of Jesus and His grace that completely wipes away our sin? This is the true message of grace. This letter would be read not only to the early church but by believers for centuries to come. Paul had to choose someone commendable for the mission at hand. For this most significant role, he intentionally chose Phebe to not only ensure the safe passage of the contents she carried but to represent him fully in front of this early Roman church, as he did not accompany her. Paul wrote to the Romans:

“I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea; 2. That you receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you; for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Rom 16:1-2 KJV).

Paul commended Phebe, meaning that he was favorably introducing her as a close confidant while relaying his utmost trust in her and her representation of him.^[2] He also titled her a “sister,” a “servant” (a deacon who gives unselfishly), a “succourer of many,” and a patroness of the unprotected and despised. A patron is defined as someone who “uses wealth or influence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause.”^[3] We can glean that Phebe was most likely a savvy businesswoman who used her talents and resources to support Paul, the church, her fellow laborers in Christ, and the less fortunate. Her resources helped Paul’s message reach the Romans, and that message continues to reach generation after generation.

You Are Chosen

God has given you gifts and talents for the purpose of advancing His Kingdom, and you are chosen for this appointed time. The question is, will you answer this call? You might be thinking, Who, me? Yes, you! God wants you!

You may be wondering, How could that be me, as I do not have a formal position at the church? We are all called to serve within the walls of the church in some capacity. However, God also chose you to serve outside the church. For He says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood … a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light” (1 Pt 2:9 AMP). If you are thinking, But I have no idea what that calling might be, then start seeking God’s wisdom immediately to bring clarity to your individual calling.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given you” (Jas 1:5 NLT).

You may be that corporate C-suite gal or that savvy entrepreneur who can financially support the ministry like Phebe did, so that others can go out and preach to reach hundreds and perhaps thousands for the Kingdom. Still, others will stay focused in the church to be a strong foundation. Whatever the call, “Faith is trusting that what God has for us is better than what we are laying down.”⁴

If you are still feeling unqualified, remember other women in Scripture who answered the call before you: Sarah birthing a son in her advanced age who would be the start of a great nation (see Genesis 21:2); Deborah, the only female judge and a political leader of Israel who held court, judged disputes under the Palm of Deborah, and rose up in a time of war to lead Israel to victory because of her fierce faith in God (see Judges 4:4-24); and Ruth, a young widow who, in poverty, chose to dedicate herself to the caring of her elderly mother-in-law Naomi and toward whom (because of her selfless love and faithfulness) God demonstrated His abundant provision (see Ruth 4:21-22). Each of these women demonstrated the importance of saying “yes” to the call placed upon their lives. 

“Throughout Scripture, God has a habit of including unlikely people, in unlikely places, to do unlikely things that bring Him great glory.”⁵  God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for surrender. Today, give Him your “Yes” bec

ause you are chosen for great things!

^[1] Meriam Webster Dictionary, s.v. “Chosen,” accessed February 22, 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chosen.

^[2] James Strong, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, 2007), s.v. “commend.”

^[3] Meriam Webster Dictionary, s.v. “patron,” accessed February 22, 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron.

⁴ Caine, Christine (@ChristineCaine), “Faith is trusting that what God has for us is better than what we are laying down.”, X, 2/26/24, 5:19 am. https://twitter.com/ChristineCaine/status/1762089903620243953/photo/1

⁵ Caine, Christine (@ChristineCaine), “Throughout Scripture, God has a habit of including unlikely people, in unlikely places to do unlikely things that bring HIM GREAT GLORY.”, X, 1/29/24, 5:19 AM. https://twitter.com/ChristineCaine/status/1751943043819663678