12-19-11 strength in weakness 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The passage I read was 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1%3A18-31&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:  

²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,

As I reflect:

This passage is evident in my history.  It can be seen very clearly that I once as a teenager memorizing verses thought that I was wise and intelligent.  I had a very high IQ and made very good grades.  I was incredibly articulate in speech.  I was also a full time Martial arts Student and was very fit, strong, fast, and capable.   To sum it up, I was all that and a bag of chips.  But I came to ruin.  I came to an end that didn’t reflect at all my strength or intelligence.  I ended up a thug, a drug dealer, and in every way a looser.  Eventually I was homeless and friendless and living for my next high.  I was brought to ruin.  God destroyed the wisdom of the wise and the intelligence of the intelligent.  He made me foolish in my own wisdom of the world.  I thought that much of what I heard from the Bible or Christians was foolish and for the weak minded.   How very wrong I was. 

God took me from the bottom I had fallen to; from my pathetic ending, and He rebuilt me.  I think of what I was when He called me and as verse 26 says, I too was not wise or influential or of nobility.  I was nothing and no one to everyone.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the strong; the lowly things and despised things – and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are.  That’s me.  That’s my history.  When I look back at where I was called from; pulled from, I don’t see God choosing a man of great stature or wisdom.   I see him calling upon a man who found himself at a homeless shelter with nothing but regret.  And I see today that many have come to gain wisdom from the words of God that I share with them.  I see this and I give glory to God, because I remember where I came from and know that it is only because of Him that I am used in such a way today.  It is as verse 30 says because of Him that I am in Christ Jesus, who has become for me wisdom from God, my righteousness, holiness, and redemption.  I boast only in what God has done in my life; in me. 

This passage is incredibly personal for me, because it is an exact match of what has happened in my life.  When I read the Bible, I see this same thing occurring in many other’s lives as well.  I see them often come from birth not noble and reach great worldly stature before they are humbled and taught that they are nothing but fools.  Moses and Paul stick out as examples to me as I write this, but there are many others.  They all go through a humbling state where in they realize their epic need for Christ, and it is only upon this realization that they begin to grow and truly become wise and powerful in God.  Most of the greats of the Bible that I have learned from, have been nobody’s until the were called by God to take up their cross and follow Him.  This gives me hope and I hope that it brings others hope as well as they recognize that the saying is all too true that , “God doesn’t call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.”  You too can be rebuilt and can be used by God for His glory.  Anyone can.  You don’t have to be great or wise or qualified in any way for Him to use you.  That for me was not only great news, but eternally life changing news.  I wonder how many right now are unknown even to themselves as the greatness that the Lord will one day use them for.  Make yourself available to Him today and humble yourself before the Lord. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, as I remember where I came from; how far you have taken me in such a short time and am thankful for the past, for where you have brought me, and for where you will take me still.  I am excited to see the future you have in store for me, for my wife, my kids.  I have come to greatly trust you with all of my life because you have shown me your sovereignty.  May I always boast in You my Heavenly Father and in your Son Whom redeemed me and covers me with His blood. Thank you Lord for humbling me, for correcting me, for setting straight my paths and lighting the way to you.   In the name of Jesus I pray.