In 1846 some Wisconsin residents were trying to choose a name for their small town. No one could agree, so they settled on a solution. They put letters of the alphabet on slips of paper and let a young girl pick them out until the letters formed a name.

Hello, Ixonia! If towns could have feelings, I bet this town would feel pretty special. After all, as the only town in the United States with this name, Ixonia was—literally—handpicked.

Who knew you’d have something in common with a small town in Wisconsin? Isaiah tells you that you do. (And because you do have emotions, the following passage makes you feel pretty special. Just read your name in place of Jacob and Israel.)

“But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1).

The God who placed stars in the heavens formed you. He handpicked how he wanted you to be put together, your skills, your gifts, your personality, your appearance. You are exactly who he wants you to be.

So while there are things that concern you in this world, you are so secure in his love and protection that you don’t have to be afraid. Because God sent his Son, Jesus, to buy you back from Satan’s control, you are now his—and he calls you by name.

Now you can say, “He picked me.”