Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth...
God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world--what it viewed as nothing--to bring to nothing what is viewed as something.
1 Corinthians 1:26, 28 (CSB)
At first glance, this doesn't seem to be the most encouraging of Paul's writings. In fact, it can be downright discouraging!
Think about all that God has called you to be. Maybe He's even given you specific tasks that He has for you. You may be called to be a pastor, or a teacher, or a missionary, or a business owner, or a doctor...but at the end of the day, we're all called to follow Jesus. And while this seems simple, it can be overwhelming to think about following Him daily.
In Luke, Jesus actually gives us some instruction on following Him:
If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 9:23 (CSB)
Sounds easy, right? Deny yourself everyday, and follow Jesus on the difficult road of carrying your cross.
These instructions might be simple, but they are anything but easy! In fact, denying yourself daily can be one of the most challenging things in life. Choosing everyday to follow Jesus, rather than following your own desires, is no easy task. And this is the great calling we all share.
But as we look back to the passage from 1 Corinthians, we realize this is quite encouraging, after all! Paul reminds his readers that it is not about ability or talent. In fact, many times, God chooses those who are insignificant and unwise, from the world's perspective.
We often make the mistake of assuming that God's call is reserved for the elite, the educated, and the "righteous." But the truth is, "We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who you are" (Romans 3:22, NLT, emphasis added).
Hear this today, friends: It's not about you! It's not about your ability. It's not about your charisma, or your competency. It's not even about your calling...
It's all about the One who calls.
What a relief! If you're like me, you need reminded of this daily. Because what God has called me to is way beyond my ability or my talent. I could never do it on my own! And when I continue to put my faith in my ability, I will always fall short.
Take a deep breath and relax, because it has nothing to do with talent or ability. But it's all about Jesus.
In light of this, we read the passage in 1 Corinthians with great delight. It is encouraging! You may feel as if God has chosen the wrong person for the task He has given to you. You may feel inadequate and insignificant.
But take courage, because Jesus is more than adequate...and the most significant person to ever walk this planet!
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us...
Ephesians 3:20 (CSB)
Shift your focus today, from the magnitude of your calling...to the magnificence of your God
From Rachel's blog: Abide&Seek