Have you ever watched a child choose a toy or a piece of candy? Most often they will select either the largest piece of candy or the shiniest toy, replete with bells and whistles. As a mature adult you may try to advise your children to choose based on quality, but the world’s standards say choose the largest and shiniest.
Do you sometimes feel that you are not very “shiny” when it comes to what you have to offer God? Listen to this—“God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” (1 Cor. 1:27). Some of the Corinthians arrogantly boasted about their gifts and wisdom. Paul corrected their arrogance by pointing to the message he preached and that was “Christ crucified.”
Second, he suggested that they take an internal audit of their own congregation. From a human perspective they came up short when measured by the world’s standards of power, nobility, wisdom, and influence. God has turned the world’s standards upside down. He has chosen the people that world might view as weak or foolish so that He alone will receive the glory.
Don’t miss the point of this kingdom promise—“God has chosen you!” If you are like me, this point is too wonderful to comprehend. But here it is—God has chosen and gifted us so that we might serve Him effectively.
Prayer: I confess that sometimes I underestimate my capability. Help me to see myself as you see me as chosen in Christ. Amen