Interesting to think about that cliche phrase in the opposite context we are used to. Initiating a relationship rather than a separation.
"One week-night, when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher's sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, "How did you come to be a Christian?" I sought the Lord. "But how did you come to seek the Lord?" The truth flashed across my mind in a moment—I should not have sought Him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek Him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, "I ascribe my change wholly to God."
-C.H. Spurgeon
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
We have done nothing to deserve it, "not a result of works", nothing to retain it. Simply a God-given faith. Not even our faith has been self-conceived. I like what John Piper said in one of his sermons (paraphrase as I remember it), "You did nothing to participate in your physical, earthly birth. Conception, pregnancy, development, labor. So why would you think that your rebirth in Jesus is anything different?" Many, many people, non-Christians and Christians alike, refuse to even try to understand predestination. I believe in a God who knows all things, He created all things including the concept of past present future. He is unlimited, He does as He pleases(Psalm115, 135; Ecclesiastes), and it is His choosing as to whom He saves, to whom He grants the gift of grace and salvation through faith.
It is now my responseability to live thankfully and pray and desire for others to be given and to receive that which has been given to me. To do as I have been called to do and let God do what pleases Him, and come to find that He is good and desires what is best for me. And that makes me trust and love Him all the more, I may not completely understand the "how" or "why" of God's choosing, but I do understand that His very word tells me this is the way it is. And I cannot bring myself to do anything but submit.
"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life..." Jesus, the Word, His words are true and trustworthy and there is life to be found in them.
