Choose Me!

When I was growing up, there was one fear I battled because of being smaller than most boys my age.  It could hit me before or after school, during recess, or possibly when I’d go to gym class.  It was the fear of being picked last.  I didn’t want to be the kid that was picked last and that caused me to be very cautious, even fearful of getting involved.  Most people would think that it’s not a big deal, but those who’ve battled this fear understand that this fear can range from athletic activities to several other areas of life.


I normally work out on my way home from the office, but I had a late morning meeting earlier this week and decided to go to a class before going to the meeting. When I arrived, the class was being led by an instructor that I’d never had before. The class had 3 men and about 20 women, which normally doesn’t mean anything, but for some reason at the end of class the instructor decided that he wanted us to pair up with somebody. I quickly looked at the men, only to see that one of them was there with his wife or girlfriend, so he was immediately out of the mix. I looked at the second gentleman, who was sitting on a bench with a towel over his head—it was very evident he was “done” with this class, as he was about ready to pass out—so I knew I couldn’t ask him to be my partner. That meant I would have to pair up with a woman. The class was made up of women who ranged in age from their late twenties to their early forties. I started looking around in an attempt to make eye contact with someone who’d be willing to be my partner, but I noticed that the women were pairing up or not even looking my direction.

There was one woman in class who was a seasoned woman. She was in her mid-sixties and had struggled throughout the class because of its intensity. Nobody pursued her as a partner and, sure enough, her eyes locked with mine and she mouthed, “Do you have a partner?”

No, I didn’t, so I ended up partnering with this seasoned woman who could barely keep up with class for the last 15 minutes of exercise. In that moment I felt like I’d come full circle in life. I went from the kid who feared being the last one picked to the man who is getting older and is the last one being picked. I understand that this is a totally different situation, but the thought did run through my mind and gave Tami a good laugh when I told her the story.

During our lives we will all come across situations where we may question if we’re good enough to not be chosen last. God answered that question by allowing Jesus to come and give His life for each of us. We shouldn’t have to go through life living under the fear of being last because God made us just the way He wanted us. Develop the gifts and talents God placed inside of you, and don’t be afraid to step up when given the opportunity. Don’t wait to be chosen—you choose to step out in confidence.