Chosen

When I was a kid I hated when it was time to pick teams. You know what I’m talking about? It’s a nice spring day, the gym teacher takes the class outside, says we’re going to play softball today. You and you – pick your teams. 

Believe me when I tell you I was always among the last chosen – I was not much of an athlete. I remember distinctly standing there waiting until another girl and I were the only ones left. Super great for your developing self-image, right? 

I wonder now, what in heaven’s name was the matter with these gym teachers? The humiliation they inflicted! If you were never chosen last, then maybe you don’t know. But it was cruel. 

Being chosen is all wrapped up in love. Everyone wants to be chosen. 

There are so many stories in the Bible about particular individuals who are chosen by God – some who didn’t even want to be chosen. Some who were not the ones anybody expected to chosen. For example, choosing little David to be the king of Israel would be like the softball captains taking me for their first pick, over the more talented players. A strange choice.

Equally strange were some of the things Jesus said to his followers about God’s choices. Things like, “The first will be last and the last will be first.” It’s backwards and upside down. 

The church sometimes says that God has a preferential option for the poor. God chooses the poor ones of the world over the wealthy ones. This is something that can seem problematic, too, because I don’t like the idea that God would play favorites. 

But, here’s the thing: It isn’t really about reversing the pecking order, turning things upside down. It’s about leveling things out. Because, really, God chooses all of us – every last one. That’s what I believe.

Every single time, God chooses to love us. You are not first, you are not last, you are just chosen. Of that you can be sure.

The only thing left is how you respond.

Photo: This is baptism: God chooses you for God's team. And so you go.