GraceWalk

Oh, the irony of it all.

When you think about Christ coming to earth, you may wonder why He chose to come as a baby. You may wonder about His choice of a small town called Bethlehem out in the middle of nowhere. You might be thinking it would have been much more “effective” if He would have chosen to come to earth riding a white horse with legions of angelic hosts in tow – declaring His power to all the nations.

But, that’s not what He’s after. Sure, He has the power to force us all to love and respect Him. He created us and everything there is to see. He controls weather patterns, sun flares, techtonic activity and the paths of asteroids. He has the ability to blink and get our attention in a variety of ways.

But that’s not what He’s after. What is He after then?

Look in John 4:23:

23 But the time is coming and is already here when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.

So, what does this have to do with 1 Corinthians? Well, perhaps I vered off the path, but as I considered the first chapter of Corinthians, it dawned on me how unlikely God’s ways are. Lincoln Brewster has a song that I love called “More Like You.” Take a look at some of the song lyrics:

My ways are not Your ways
My thoughts are not Your thoughts
As the Heavens are higher than the Earth
Search me and know my heart
I give myself to You
For the Heavens are higher than the Earth

The apostle Paul knew this very well. He knew the world was confused as to why God chose to do things the way He did. He knew they were amazed at the message these early Christians were bringing. Paul knew he had to stick to the power of the cross and not get distracted. People wanted to focus on the miracles and the gifts, but Paul remained steadfast:

17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News and not with clever speeches and high-sounding ideas, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. 18 I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God.

Much like today, people wanted their ears tickled. They didn’t want to hear about the cross.

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. 25 This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, 29 so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

God is looking for those that choose to love Him no matter what the circumstance. He wants a personal relationship with those who are not persuaded by miracles and signs and wonders, but drawn by God’s love and desire to fellowship. God uses the simple things that completely throw off those in the world, but confirm in the hearts of those who believe in Him of His love for us. 

Don’t you love it? As an insider, this makes me giggle. I love the ways of God. I don’t understand them most of the time, but I love Him and trust Him completely – with my entire life. So, reading this makes me smile.

 It’s going to be a good day.

peace,
e