Belonging

John 15 : 18 - 21

....you do not belong to the world....I have chosen you out of the world...

Recently, I took a walk through Petaling Street in KL on my way to the Puduraya bus station. Petaling Street is somewhere I seldom hang out except the times I have to pass through. It is not because I am a snob but I do find it a very different world compared to the more settled life in suburban PJ. But I must say I did enjoy my leisurely walk through (while of course being conscious of my handbag!), stopping to notice the traders with their array of watches, clothes, and trinkets, stopping for lunch and even for the well known 'air mata kucing'. I did begin to appreciate the world of Petaling Street

How do we Christians view our journey through this world? Do we choose a 'world embracing' or a 'world rejecting' spirituality? Or are we often confused and just go with the flow as many young people seem to do, by default? This might actually lead us to live very 'schizophrenic' spiritual lives. Our lives become compartmentalized between what we do in church/ministry and what we do out there 'in the world'. Such a spirituality lacks wholeness. It leaves us fragmented.

I believe that the key in this passage is to ask ourselves what it means to be 'chosen'. By this I do not mean that we have to fully understand (or as evangelicals like to do - to defend) 'chosen' according to the doctrine of predestination. Whether Arminian or Calvinist or in between or wherever our beliefs happen to lie doctrinally, we can still learn to read this as God's personal word to us. So as we move beyond doctrine, can we appreciate and even relish the thought that we are 'chosen'? What images does it convey, images that help us understand it at 'gut' level, not only with our intellect? For me, it brings the tender image of my God and Creator knitting me together in my mother's womb. God delighting in me from all time. God who never for a moment forgets me for he has engraved me on the palms of his hands. Indeed, being 'chosen' expresses the purposeful decision of God to create and draw each one of us to himself. His purposes for us continue throughout life as we respond and participate with him in this world. So to hear too that we "do not belong to the world" should not worry or surprise us too much. Indeed, we belong to our Creator. Our God gives meaning and purpose to our lives. As Christians we are reminded to first and foremost remember 'who we are' and 'whose we are'. These questions form the foundation of our spiritual lives. When we base our choices on these two questions (Who am I? Whose am I?), living in this fallen yet glorious world becomes easier. We are freed to notice and embrace those things that reflect God's goodness. At the same time we are freed to detach ourselves from those things that draw us away from the one we belong to. In each situation, the Voice that calls us beloved and chosen guides us towards the right direction. The One who calls will also strengthen us when we inevitably find ourselves in conflict with the world around us.