I can still envision the playground from elementary school and specifically on one day. The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze blowing through the air. All of the kids were lined up waiting anxiously.

The “captains” were chosen, and then the rest of us stood in front of them to be picked. I was quiet and a little awkward; and as I stood there, my insides were feeling insecure and unsure of myself. But on the outside I was trying to put on a strong face. So nerve-racking!

Finally, I was picked! A sign of relief, a deep breath and then a quick walk to where the other kids were waiting for the rest of the team to be chosen.

Funny how we can remember these moments and the power of being picked on a playground. There is something about someone looking at you, pointing at you, and then saying, “I want you on my team,” that is powerful and can be recognized and understood even at a young age.

Even though we went through this ritual to decide teams just about every day; this one day stood out to me. I think because of the idea that I finally belonged; that I was accepted and that someone else wanted me to be with him and on his team.

It felt good to be wanted, picked, to belong to a group of kids that was bigger than me by myself.

Have you ever felt lonely, isolated, waiting, hoping that someone would come along your path and choose you, to say that I want you on my team, to accept you?

As athletes, we are striving for perfection, for excellence on the field of play, and even to be accepted by our fellow teammates, coaches and those in our sport.

But what if to belong and be accepted wasn’t determined by what you did or how well you performed on the athletic field?

Crazy, right!

Or is it?

You have been picked, chosen and accepted. Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, was reminding them who they are in Christ, their identity and destiny.

Paul said that God “chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will — to the praise of His glorious grace …”

Our heavenly Father has chosen you before the foundation of the world. He has adopted you. No more striving for acceptance, value or significance; you are chosen!