Just finished reading a passage of Scripture that brought to mind a playground scene I experienced as a boy… They were choosing up sides for a softball game. Two playground leaders – really good players – began the process of selecting their teams. First of all the best were chosen – the most talented – the most popular. Then the average players – the “no-names” – went next. Then the rest of us – the ones nobody wanted on his or her team were selected last. Do you ever recall a scene like that on the playground as a child?
Good news! That is NOT how God selects His team! The Bible clearly states (and the case studies abound) that the Lord doesn’t call out or choose the wise, the talented, the influential, and the rich first and foremost for His team … In fact He delights in selecting the ones the world would choose last – first! Here is how apostle Paul was inspired to say it in the Bible…
“Consider your calling: not many of you were wise according to worldly 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, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, SO THAT NO HUMAN BEING MIGHT BOAST IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘LET THE ONE WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.’” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV)
Just gotta say… For a pimple-faced farm kid from a little “no-name” town in Western Montana, whose graduating class was only about 40 students, who never was able to play sports because of “chores” and who attended a little Pentecostal church that never ran over 60 … those verses have given me a lot of hope! He selected me!! Anyone else out there feel a witness?!
Coffee With The Lord 