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;
1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV)
Wisdom and strength… These are two qualities and characteristics that we all aspire and desire to have in our life and we invest a tremendous amount of time and resources in their pursuit. We prize these two traits above all others in that they form the basis for all other qualities and characteristics that we deem valuable. Foolish and weak are two insults that will sink a person’s heart when they hear them. To be proven foolish brings shame. To be proven weak brings fear. Yet, for the follower of Christ, they are a marker of faith. What the world sees as foolishness and weakness is the power and strength of God. In the economy of God, the foolish ones who trust in Christ are wise and the weak ones who trust in Christ are strong. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:25
I find it difficult to wrap my head around this passage. What I mean is that I find it difficult to truly take this passage to heart. It’s one thing to understand that I will perceived as weak and foolish by the world and even some within the confines of the Christian community, but it is quite another to live this out in my daily life. I crave wisdom and strength. I don’t think I would have admitted that yesterday, but as I have contemplated and meditated on this passage this morning, I realized that I am too easily distracted by the world’s version of wisdom and strength. I am too easily influenced by the advertising and messaging of the world. I find myself wanting and needing the approval of the people around me. I care what others think about me and how they perceive me. I don’t want to be viewed as foolish or weak.
Yet, I am foolish and weak for the things of Christ. True wisdom and strength are only ever found perfected in Christ alone. How do I find wisdom? It is found only in the mercy and grace of Jesus. How do I find strength? It is found only in the mercy and grace of Christ. And it looks so radically different than what I imagine and what the world teaches me to expect. The world tells me that wisdom and strength is full of pride and arrogance, but the wisdom and strength of God is found in simple humility.
I keep coming back to humility. Over and over again as I journal and mediate on the Words of God, I cannot escape this constant reminder that the life Christ is calling me to is one filled with humility. It is difficult to live a life of humility. To know that I have the wisdom of Christ within me, but to be told how foolish I am in that pursuit. To know that I have the strength of Christ within me, but to be constantly reminded how weak I am in terms of the worldly powers. Living this life of humility is humbling.
I know I need to be humbled in so many different areas. I need Jesus to bring humility upon me. I need to see my foolishness and embrace Christ. I need to see my weakness and embrace Christ. It is the foolish and weak who see Christ. God has chosen the foolish and the weak to shame the world. What a blessing that I was chosen. Father, continue to humble me. Continue to expose my foolish weakness. Use my foolishness and weakness to drive me to Jesus. There and only there will I find comfort and rest. In him alone will I find my security in his strength and wisdom.