What He Chooses

“For consider your calling brothers: not many of you were wise according
to worldy 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 the 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, sanctification and
redemption, so that as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ “

-1 Corinthians 1:26-30-

God chooses:

the foolish
the weak
the low
the despised

    So that our boasting may be of HIM, not of ourselves, ‘cause we have nothing good to bring to Him.  It’s only because of His love and mercy.

    I don’t have to look smart in the world’s eyes.  I don’t have to prove that “I know some stuff.”  I only have to know Him.

    I don’t have to look strong or capable in the world’s eyes.  I don’t have to go to college, or get some great degree.  He will give me the strength and equipment that I need.

    I don’t have to have some high-standing or have achieved a lot.  The world isn’t my standard – Jesus is. 

    And I don’t have to be accepted.  I won’t be – plain and simple; if I’m following Jesus, that is.  He is the only audience that matters and the only approval I need. 

I’m not meant to fit in, but to glorify Him.

“I must decrease and He must increase.”

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The Brave Friendship of God

He took the twelve aside . . . —Luke 18:31

Oh, the bravery of God in trusting us! Do you say, “But He has been unwise to choose me, because there is nothing good in me and I have no value”? That is exactly why He chose you. As long as you think that you are of value to Him He cannot choose you, because you have purposes of your own to serve. But if you will allow Him to take you to the end of your own self-sufficiency, then He can choose you to go with Him “to Jerusalem” (Luke 18:31). And that will mean the fulfillment of purposes which He does not discuss with you.

We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience— all of that is of no avail in this concern. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). God’s friendship is with people who know their poverty. He can accomplish nothing with the person who thinks that he is of use to God. As Christians we are not here for our own purpose at all— we are here for the purpose of God, and the two are not the same. 

We do not know what God’s compelling purpose is, but whatever happens, we must maintain our relationship with Him. We must never allow anything to damage our relationship with God, but if something does damage it, we must take the time to make it right again. The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack.

(From ¨My Utmost for His Highest, August 4)