For consider your
calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh,
not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things
of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of
the world to shame the things which are strong...
We often have the idea that God is looking for people with an
impressive spiritual resume--men and women who meet all the
qualifications. We think if God is seeking people to serve Him, He will
look for the most qualified, the smartest, the bravest.
The truth is, God doesn't look for eloquence--He looks for emptiness.
In Acts 6,
the newfound church had exploded into existence and discovered their
first problem: they had a great deal of money! All of its members were
selling their land and possessions to give to the needs of others, but
some of the widows in dire circumstances were being overlooked. The Holy
Spirit moved the apostles' hearts to choose seven men to solve the
problem.
That job seems easy enough, doesn't it? If I were one of the apostles, I
would have called for the accountants in the church, the financiers,
the treasurers, the bookkeepers--those who had experience with handling
and dispersing funds. That would seem the logical choice, wouldn't it?
But the apostles had different criteria. In Acts 6:3 we
find the qualifications: "Therefore, brethren, select from among you
seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we
may put in charge of this task."
Wow! The implication here is that the men who were selected
were men devoid of themselves, having been filled with the Holy Spirit.
They were wise because they were surrendered to God, and because of
this, God chose them for the task. Can you guess what happened next? The
matter was settled and the widows were taken care of from that day
forth.
God doesn't need the best-of-the-best to change the world; He can do it
all by Himself. Yet, in His mercy and love, He has decided to allow us
the opportunity to leave a mark on our sphere of influence for His
glory. So be encouraged, friend; you don't have to be the best-looking,
the smartest, or the most talented person in the world to gain God's
approval.When Jesus Christ chose twelve men to be His closest companions, He didn't go into the rabbinical schools to find the most brilliant graduates. He chose instead twelve unlearned men who were nobodies in the religious world's estimation. Why? He wasn't looking for impressive resumes.
Today Christ seeks out men and women who are both dependent upon and available to the Holy Spirit for His enabling.
He's looking for people who know they don't deserve the credit... have you updated your resume?
Prayer Point: Lay your heart before God at
this moment and ask Him to show you the prideful things you should rid
from your life. Pray that He will empty you of that pride and give you
faith to rely fully on Him.
The Pastor's Friendlessness by Mary Chambers
Today's Bible Verse...
Our mouths were filled with
laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the
nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." —Psalm 126:2
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
So
many of us are so richly blessed — if not by physical and financial
blessings, then most definitely by God's gracious spiritual blessings.
The Lord has done great things for us! Let's praise him with songs of
praise and lives full of laughter and joy!
My Prayer...
Generous and gracious Father, thank you so much for the many ways you have blessed me. Your gift of salvation through your Son Jesus is so incredible and gives me hope and confidence for the future. May all the physical and financial blessings you've shared with me bring glory to you, not me! In Jesus' name. Amen.
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