Foolish things of the world

https://odb.org/2023/10/15/gods-unexpected-ways

I can relate very well to Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 1:27 that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. The truth is that in the Kingdom of God, one may be eloquent, articulate, and funny when preaching the Word, and that works well with most congregations. But even if we are not like that, we can still preach the Word because the Spirit of God can still work in the congregation through a less eloquent preacher. This is because in preaching, what really matters is the message we bring. Is the Word the Word of the season? Is there some prophetic slant to it? Is God telling us something that can make a genuine change in our lives, transform us, cause a paradigm shift in the way we look or approach God? An eloquent speaker will, of course, bring forth the message better, but a simple and plain speaking one can also do so as ultimately our reception to a Word depends also on the heart of the listener. In fact, what we do with the Word depends on the condition of our hearts – Jesus taught a whole parable on this point.

Thus, as believers, we need not look at our weaknesses or inadequacies or natural limitations when doing God’s work. Prepare and put in time and effort. We will get better over time as we do it more. Like sharing the Gospel. It is intimidating at first. We are unsure how to broach the topic. We are probably unprepared for all the difficult questions. But if we just start by sharing our testimony, it’s already an excellent start. Even in preaching or sharing from the pulpit, our personal experience and encounters make our message real. Not just an exposition of Scriptures but a living out of the living Word of God, our faith in action in the real world.

Don’t despise ourselves if we think we are one of those foolish things of the world. Be humble and respond in faith as God calls us. Move out in faith. Pray for the sick. Pray out loud for our friends when they face challenges. Pray to our Heavenly Father for them. Uphold them to God that they may also experience His supernatural interventions into the natural.

In my recent overseas trip, a friend gave me a bottle of red wine. At the check-in counter, I realised that I couldn’t bring it through immigration. So I had to check it on or finish it all before going through immigration! Of course, the only choice was the former. We were worried that the bottle would break and ruin all my clothes. Then, someone among us who is yet a believer said, “Pray, pray that the bottle will not break.” That’s the obvious answer. Why worry when we can place our hope in God? In the end, praise the Lord that the bottle made it through intact!