May 15, 2017 I received my master’s degree, and all I can say is: He chose me.
The apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:10:
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
In other words, I can’t take the credit. Everything I am is only because of His grace.
He chose me.
On the day of my graduation, the Lord reminded me that I could not even attribute my success to my intellect, as I had the same intellectual ability when I was making some very stupid decisions. I don’t have a master’s degree because I’m so smart. Nope, not at all. I have a master’s degree because of His grace.
He chose me.
Some people have life stories that allow them to make the mistake of attributing their success to factors outside of God. Even then it’s a mistake, but I do understand. They think they’re successful because they’ve made all the right decisions, or because of their family background. Well, personally I have no opportunity to take the credit for anything.
I know where I’ve come from. I know where I started. I know where I was going before I accepted Jesus into my heart, and I can see what He has done with me.
He chose me.
I can’t boast of success because even with a master’s degree I know I have not arrived. I know I am still being perfected in His sight. This master’s degree has to stay in its place when it comes to my life, and I will not exalt it higher than I will exalt the One who blessed me with it.
A master’s degree is an applaudable accomplishment, but it doesn’t come close to knowing Jesus Christ in an intimate way. I praise Him and thank Him for allowing me to obtain such a degree while living my life on His earth. I know it’s all because of Him.
He chose me.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:13-14
He chose me.
Read Professor Woodward:
