On the playgrounds of the land in which we live, a tradition of choosing continues as it has for generations: Picking Teams. School recess, after school, extra-curricular activities—wherever team sports are practiced this tradition is practiced. The captains are selected, then the captains begin alternately picking players for their teams. Perhaps you have had the experience of waiting to hear your name called.
Some kids will look down in the ground, not wanting to see the captains pass over them looking for a more athletic kid. Others will actively lobby and advertise with the classic encouragement: “pick me, pick me!”
Little can compare with the glory of being picked first. How devastating it may seem to be the very last one picked.
Hopefully, any pride or emotional scars from this exercise have faded in your memory. But have you considered how this schoolyard tradition applies to your spiritual life?
God talks about choosing his team. If you consider God as the “Team Captain,” listen to how he talks about you and what he thinks of you:
“ . . . God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)
I have met people who make a big deal about how they “made a decision for Christ” and perhaps can even cite the day, month, year, hour and minute. Some of these comments have come off as a point of pride. I don’t believe human pride has any place in the discussion of how God saved us. Isn’t it ridiculous that even though we are riddled with sinfulness we so easily become too prideful, pompous, and preening? Such a misguided sense of pride betrays that we have a sin problem and will until from this world the Lord calls us home to his glory in heaven.
The passage above emphasizes that the glory all belongs to God for saving us. Through the gospel, God creates faith, strengthens our faith, and assures us of eternal glory—this is all completely through and thanks to the one and only Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.
But as you consider the above passage, take a moment to consider the first three words here: “God chose you.” From even before your own personal start, God loved you, treasured you, and chose you to be his own. You are God’s own dear child and he is particularly fond of you. You are God’s precious selection and valuable in his eyes. You have been selected to be on God’s team.
In fact, I love how God talks about picking teams. Even when talking to his disciples, Christ noted “you did not choose me, but I chose you . . . to bear fruit that will last.” That additional phrase shows Jesus wasn’t just talking about his disciple selection process, but God’s choosing of believers, just as he would want all believers to bear spiritual fruit.
So, you are truly blessed, dear sister—dear brother in the faith! Your place on God’s team is through his gracious selection. You are on a team with a one-person role to play in this amazing match of life. God bless you as you perform your role depending on God’s energy and strength. And hey, just one more thing: I’m glad to be on the same team with you.
Blessings on your weekend,
--Pastor Dan