Wednesday 08 March 2017
- Bible Book:
- 1 Corinthians
“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.” (vv. 26-27)
Psalm: Psalm 119:33-48
Background
If you're feeling low and under attack by people who seem tobelieve that you are inferior to them, what's the thing you needmost?
Encouragement!
In that first verse, does what Paul is saying soundencouraging?
Hardly!
Let's hope that the people who heard this letter read to themdidn't get so discouraged by the first statement that they failedto hear the second.
The truth is that most of us, whether in the church or not,don't reckon ourselves to be especially wise or influential, andthere are obviously limits to the number of those who are of noblebirth. So when we feel under attack we may not feel able to cope;or when we're asked to speak out we may not feel adequatelyequipped to do so and if someone is looking down on us with asuperior attitude, it may weaken even the little confidence that wehave. At that point we need the reassurance of someone who knowswhat they're talking about and can spur us into action. And thebest encouragement of all is to know that whatever we considerourselves to be, God considers us worthy of being called to bewitnesses to our faith.
God speaks and calls to speaking
those who have the right potential,
or the yet-unknown ability,
to answer the call.
Confident or feeling hopeless,
ordinary or unusual,
any age will be accepted,
inclusivity, the norm.
For God knows why each is chosen,
as wise parents know their children
and will offer loving guidance
for the days that lie ahead.
And God has watched the growing
and has waited for that moment
when the call may have an answer,
hesitant though it may be.
Then God speaks with reassurance
and with perfect understanding
and will wait, if necessary,
for the call to be obeyed.
When God speaks and calls to speaking
we who may have the potential,
or the yet-unknown ability,
then what will our answer be?
© Marjorie Dobson
To Ponder
- What is your reaction when you meet someone who seemsdetermined to make you feel small and inadequate? How do you regainyour self-confidence?
- What do you say to someone who asks you why you believe in that'God nonsense'?