“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” John 15:16 

When you stand before a vast audience to speak on a matter you know is above your understanding and overwhelmed by the sense that you aren’t competent to do the subject justice you feel the killing impotence, the word comes, “I chose you!” That should make a difference. 

When you stand before a vast audience to proclaim a holy truth that is so far beyond your moral experience and the sense of your unworthiness is close to paralysing, the word comes, “I chose you!” That should make a difference. 

When you stand before a vast audience eager to show your brilliance and hardly able to wait for the lavish praise you know will come, the word comes, “I chose you!” That should make a difference. 

When you rise again to address a tiny assembly that doesn’t seem to be growing or wanting to grow and like some ancient prophet that everyone ignores you feel you’re wasting your time, the word comes, “I have chosen you!” That should make a difference. 

When you sit down to sign the document that seals a business deal or when you exchange a glance that will set a relationship in motion, the word comes, “I have chosen you!” That should make a difference. 

When you wrestle with an enemy within and you’re sure that the one you’re now facing is another battle you’re going to lose, the word comes, “I chose you!” That should make a difference. 

When you face entrenched evil in government or in your community and you feel helpless to change things for the better and you’re on the verge of quitting the race and saying nothing, the word comes, “I have chosen you!” That should make a difference. 

With that word there comes the justification for our speaking and wrestling and working and living. We’re not engaged in these splendid endeavours or resisting evil urges merely on the basis of our own choice but because of his prior choice! We don’t speak or wrestle or work or live because we have commissioned ourselves—it is his choosing. It’s best not to argue with him! 

So if often we seem to be beating our heads against a wall or constantly fighting losing battles we need to remember that we’ve been called to it and not by the God of the status quo but by the God who urges us to see the conclusion of it all.  “And the One sitting on the throne said: Look, I am making the whole of creation new.’ “(Revelation 21:5, NJB)