1 Corinthians 1: 26 – 31
Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’
Reflection
This is the first time I am writing a Devotion; therefore I feel no pressure to write something clever !?!
As I reflect on the words of this passage, I consider first how others see me (the reference to human standards) and how they may not see me as anything special or unique or powerful….as I don’t shout the loudest or strut! But how God uses us time and time again to show or demonstrate something to others.. It may be he that he enables us to be positive in dark times, or to smile and say nothing when we are tempted to say something negative or that he just encourages us to just ‘BE STILL’ (Psalm 46:10) and in that shows others what real patience looks like. Whatever it is, God chose us; he CHOSE us…..How great is that we are called and chosen to be children of God…. This is a gift that keeps giving, as time and time again, God shows us that he is on our side, bringing us through challenges and difficulties; sometimes in a more triumphant way than we could ever have imagined.
However, the passage also reminds us to be humble and to recognize that we must not become boastful; not easy when things are going well or when you are being held up by others or when you get that job or that partner or win that prize.
We are reminded that God is our centre and we are reminded that IF we are to boast, we must boast recognising who chose us; who made us whole; who continues to be faithful, who is always kind, who works through us.. As the passage says ‘we must boast in the Lord’.
Prayer
Father God, how awesome you are, and
How Humble we should be;
But sometimes that isn’t easy when things are going very well.
Lord, please remind us to focus on you; to keep you at the centre; to boast IN you;
Always remembering the gift of life and love that you have given us as HIS children; making us whole, joyful and secure.
And in this way we are able to bring more people to your Kingdom planting seeds of joy and goodness across the world.