(12) Signs That God Has CHOSEN You
When I was around 13 or 14 years old, I had a conversation with my mom while we were driving. We were on Garners Ferry Road in Columbia, SC. This was a time when my mom and I shared a really close bond! I mean, we were very close. At that point, my brother had already moved out, leaving just my little sister and me. My mom relied on me for just about everything. I was her go-to person whenever she needed to pray, wanted to discuss something significant, sought advice or insight on matters concerning all three of us, needed help finding a Bible verse because I was really into scriptures back then, and when she wanted a different viewpoint on something, I was the child she turned to.
Despite being on the A/B Honor Roll in high school and graduating with a 3.9 GPA, I always thought my poor grades and the trouble I got into during elementary and middle school were why she sought academic help from my sister. Can you believe it? I must have convinced her that I was clueless about school, even though I was actually performing much better in high school. I was never lacking in intelligence, just not properly challenged. My sister had consistently been a straight A student throughout her life; I was finally catching up to her. However, when it came to street smarts, I was the go-to child. I knew how to think fast, adapt, and figure something out. Over time, the closeness we shared began to change and it eventually there was nothing left.
Why Are We 6 Years Apart?
Fortunately, long before we lost that bond, my mother and I had a conversation about a few things. While we were driving around Columbia, SC, taking care of errands, I posed (2) questions. The first was about why we had to leave Georgia back in 1998 (which I will elaborate on in another article). The second question was, "Why are Marquis and I 6 years apart?" Her answer was exactly what I expected - the truth. Here’s what she told me . . .
Oh, So That’s Why
She shared with me that after becoming pregnant with my brother at 16, she hadn’t intended to have any more children. Once she gave birth to him at 17, she was done. However, at 23, she discovered she was expecting me, too. However, while visiting family in New Jersey for a bit, her initial plan was to put me up for adoption. Learning this didn’t upset me; I had never been a parent myself, and it’s hard to say how anyone would react in such a situation. Raising kids requires financial resources. She had none! Therefore, I understood her perspective. I made peace with the fact that if my grandfather hadn’t been diagnosed with cancer, she wouldn’t have rushed back to Georgia, where she ultimately gave birth to me and chose to keep me. This meant someone, good or bad, would have adopted me. I held no resentment.
Was The Would-Be Orphan, Now The Mistake
Over the years, I came to realize that the knowledge of being meant for adoption, along with the tough situations I often faced, became increasingly painful. I started to feel like God put me here on accident. I started to believe that my life was a mistake; that I was a mistake; that God had made an error in creating me; and that even before I took my first breath, I had already been cast aside. From 2016 to 2018, I spent 90% of my time homeless, living in my 2014 Ford Fusion, on the streets, staying with family, crashing at a friend's place, hitchhiking, losing jobs, battling depression, coping with isolation, heartbreak, suicidal thoughts, temptation, and hatred. I was dark! So angry that at one point I threw my Bible away, stopped praying, and began calling God “the scientist” because I felt like a lab rat. What do I mean? I mean I felt as though every time he wanted to see how a new test would work on his creations; he would just save himself the trouble and come find me. I was his “lab rat” reacting to various situations.
I kept questioning why he was throwing so many challenges my way all at once. I lost everything at least three times. I wondered why he wouldn’t give me a break, what his ultimate plan was, and why he was allowing all of this to happen, leaving me feeling so isolated. I was furious with God because it seemed like he wasn’t looking out for me, and if he was, it was only after he silently watched my life crumble. I challenged him to take action, to intervene, and to defend me like a father would for his children. I dared him to show himself to me.
God Can Handle It!
One might say, "Bruh, you were wildin’ out." But I don’t believe that. During those dark, cold, and lonely times, God encountered the most genuine and honest version of me. He saw me in my raw, uncut, and unfiltered state, without any pretense. In that period filled with anger, bitterness, and resentment, I discovered something about God and what it means to be chosen. Chosen individuals, much like Job from the Bible, are equipped to endure their trials. Sure, it’s not a walk in the park. Experiencing physical, emotional, mental, sexual, and spiritual abuse is never enjoyable. When we are in the midst of it, it feels terrible. However, if we can persevere, continue to be brutally honest with God (we might as well since He knows our thoughts anyway), and at the very least - not give up on ourselves, eventually the dark clouds will have to clear.
What Does It Mean To Be Chosen?
But how can you tell if you’re truly chosen or simply experiencing a tough phase? And what does it really signify? Well, as I mentioned, being chosen means you are uniquely designed and equipped to face specific challenges in life. One thing is for certain is that you belong to God. Just like a 4-wheel drive vehicle is made to navigate through snow, mud, rocky paths, and so on, you were meant to tackle whatever comes your way. The main issue is that you might believe others could have managed your life better than you. Would it surprise you if I said that’s not the case? It’s not! Not everyone can be chosen, even if they wish to be. Those who are chosen aren’t superior to others; they are simply special because they are thoughtfully crafted to navigate life! If you aren’t chosen, consider yourself lucky. The people who are chosen (like myself) did NOT have an easy life prior to when things finally got better.
Am I Chosen?
Now that I’ve explained what it means to be chosen, I’d like to outline (12) indicators that I think will help you determine if you are indeed chosen . . .
You frequently find yourself in dire situations that are not of your own making, which test you on spiritual, mental, sexual, emotional, financial, and physical levels. Sometimes, all of these challenges hit you at once.
Whenever you feel like you’re at your breaking point, whether it’s your last leg, your last dollar, or just a moment away from giving up, help always seems to arrive.
You often feel isolated! It’s not that you dislike people. Rather, it’s because (1) you sense insincerity and can’t bring yourself to reciprocate that fakeness, (2) others don’t take the time to truly know you, (3) God has created a space just for you and Him, or (4) your relationships with those closest to you have been strained due to loss or conflict.
God and the universe always seem to recognize when you’ve reached your limit. Even when you vow never to be kind, loving, and considerate again, that’s one promise you can’t seem to keep.
God places less fortunate individuals in your path, even when you’re struggling. He wants to ensure that you (1) remember who you are, (2) remain generous, and (3) have the opportunity to plant a seed because you need to harvest something positive. You truly reap what you sow.
People spread lies about you, deceive you, and rally others against you. Often, it’s those you consider family and friends.
Strangers genuinely look out for you!
Random individuals approach you with words of wisdom you might have heard as a child, share prophetic messages from church, or seem to know things about you without even knowing your name.
The needy, marginalized, and so-called “rejects” of society always seem to gravitate towards you.
You feel out of place at work, within your family, or anywhere else, for that matter.
People can’t seem to bother you or hurt you for too long without facing some misfortune. In fact, when you learn about their struggles, you often find yourself asking God to show them mercy, even if they haven’t treated you well. Warnings come in the form of signs, dreams, vision, or other people to stay away from certain people and things.
You always manage to rise back to the top!
P.S. - I wanted to leave you with one more VERY IMPORTANT way to know you are chosen. You will not be able to outrun it or escape it. You will often hate it because it will cost you friends, family, and even potential lovers. But when God says, “Nah, you’re mine!” there’s really not a lot you can do except learn how to thrive in the parameters he set for you. It will suck at first, but it gets better!
