Handpicked by God: Finding Purpose in the Seasons of Waiting
God Picked You
There’s something about fall that makes me slow down and notice the little things. The crunch of leaves underfoot, the way the air feels cooler against my skin, the smell of cinnamon and apples filling the kitchen. Fall reminds us that life comes in seasons: some are full of bright color and harvest, others feel like bare branches waiting for something new to grow.
Recently, I was looking at a basket of apples, each one unique in its own way, and I thought about how much care goes into handpicking them. You don’t just grab any apple at random. You reach for the one that has ripened in its own time. The one that’s ready. The one you’ve been waiting on.
And in that moment, I realized: that’s exactly what God does with us.
Chosen Before the Beginning
Ephesians 1:4 tells us, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” Before you were even born, before your story ever began, God already had you in mind.
Think about that. Before He painted sunsets, before He carved out the mountains, before He poured the oceans into place, He saw you. He wanted you. He chose you.
Being chosen by God isn’t like being picked for a team because you were the fastest or the smartest. It isn’t conditional, based on what you’ve done or what you can offer. It’s rooted in His love, His grace, and His plan. You didn’t earn it. You can’t lose it. You were chosen simply because He delights in you.
When “Chosen” Doesn’t Feel True
But let’s be honest, being chosen doesn’t always feel like being chosen.
There are seasons where life looks a lot like wilderness. Maybe right now, you feel overlooked or left behind. You’ve been praying for doors to open, and instead, it feels like you’re sitting on the sidelines while others move forward. Maybe you’re scrolling through social media, watching friends step into marriages, jobs, ministries, or opportunities you’ve prayed for, and you wonder: Did God forget about me?
Friend, He hasn’t.
Sometimes being chosen means being hidden for a little while. Just like an apple ripens quietly on the branch, away from notice, God allows us to grow and mature in seasons that no one else sees. What looks like silence isn’t absence, it’s preparation.
Connected to the Vine
Jesus explains it so clearly in John 15: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
Fruit doesn’t appear overnight. It takes time, nourishment, and pruning. There will be moments where it feels like nothing is happening, but beneath the surface, roots are deepening and growth is taking place.
Maybe this is a season where God is pruning distractions, shaping your character, and teaching you dependence on Him. It may not feel glamorous, but it is deeply purposeful. What He is forming in you now is the very thing He will use later.
Handpicked with Intention
Think about what it means to be handpicked. It’s deliberate. Intentional. Careful. God isn’t rushing through, hoping for the best. He’s not comparing you to anyone else on the branch. He sees you. He knows your exact timing. He knows when you’ll be ready to step into the fullness of what He’s called you to do.
And here’s the beautiful thing about it: your purpose isn’t “on hold” just because you don’t see it yet. Being chosen isn’t something that comes and goes. It’s part of your identity. You are chosen today, whether you feel productive or not, whether your dreams are unfolding or still in waiting.
Isaiah 43:1 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” What could be more personal than that? Not just picked in a crowd. Not just noticed. Called by NAME.
A Word for the Wilderness
If you’re in a wilderness season, I want you to hear this clearly: wilderness does not mean worthlessness.
In fact, the wilderness is where God often does His deepest work. Moses was shaped in the wilderness. David was anointed king but spent years in fields and caves before he wore the crown. Even Jesus was led into the wilderness before beginning His ministry.
Wilderness doesn’t erase your calling, it prepares you for it.
So hold steady. Trust that your season of hiddenness is not wasted. God is faithful to bring fruit in its time.
The Beauty of Seasons
Fall teaches us that change is both necessary and beautiful. Trees let go of what they no longer need. Branches bear fruit in their right season. And even when a tree looks bare, we trust that new life will come again.
Your life is the same. Some seasons are bursting with color and fruit, others feel like quiet pruning. But in each one, you are still chosen. You are still loved. You are still handpicked for a purpose that only you can fulfill.
So let this fall be your reminder:
You don’t have to strive for God’s attention.
You don’t have to prove your worth.
You don’t have to fear being overlooked.
You’ve already been picked.
Reflection
Take a moment to sit with these questions today:
In what ways have I been doubting God’s timing in my life?
Where do I need to trust that this “wilderness” is preparation, not punishment?
How can I stay connected to the Vine (Jesus) this week, even in small ways?
And most of all, remind yourself: God picked me. He hasn’t forgotten me. My story is unfolding right on time.
I’m so beyond thankful to have you here and to be able to share my heart and spread the gospel this way. God is so good.
