You did not choose me but I chose you…

These words of Jesus strike a blow against any sense of consumer spirituality. Jesus uses the words of choosing in a profound sense, not speaking in any Calvinistic or predetermined sense, or as if at some later stage of faith we can say “You owe me God – ‘cos I chose you above other things, remember?”

But what is shown is that God is at the foundation stages of faith in revealing his desire, love and choosing to be with us.

For our faith, as well as us believing in God, is also about God believing in us. Our faith is not just us trusting in God – but God trusting in us. These words reveal a high level of humanity, one which is made in the image of God; one is to be the glory of God; one which is to be the Body of Christ.

These words are about identity – in an age of consumer choice, where choice is the new ethic – Jesus words speak about our need to belong, and that we ‘belong’ because we simply are – not because we strive seek to be.