I needed a filling and a repair. The dentist numbed me up, I survived and an hour later I was on my way home.....but not without numbness that presented like Bell's Palsy. I know about Bell's Palsy because recently my grandson struggled with it as a result of Lyme's Disease from a tic bite. For six hours the entire right side of my face was numb. I could not blink and it was incredibly difficult to eat or drink. Suffice it to say, talking, while I could do it, well.... there was a lot of sputtering and yes, some saliva action, it was very uncomfortable and I was very self-conscious.🤦🏻♀️
Since it was the same day I was spending time with my granddaughters (who had a fully planned agenda) I couldn't just come home and wait for the novacaine to wear off. I found myself being unusually quiet, covering my face or explaining the "why". I'm not gonna lie, as the hours ticked on I thought (perhaps with some panic mixed in), "What if this doesn't get better? What if I have permanent damage to the nerve? What if I'm like this the rest of my life?" 😳
I began to think about people in the Bible that, by the way they looked or by what they'd done, by some deficiency they had or by some lack, were categorized as unlovely....the least of these if you will. As I dug deeper I was again and again reminded of Jesus' tender loving care of those society labeled as less than.
After having studied Exodus for two years I've been profoundly impacted by Moses. At one point he told God to pick someone else because he was so insecure about his ability to speak. Some research shows he had some kind of speech impediment...perhaps he stuttered. Yet, he was chosen by God. Though God did relent and appoint Aaron to speak on Moses's behalf, it's clear that God did not look upon Mose's speech issue as a deterent to his plan.
In 1 Samuel we are clearly told that God does not look at appearance.
"The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
And what about the church in Corinth? What did the Apostle Paul say to them?
"God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
1 Corinthians 1:28-29
I love this explanation:
God isn’t saying that it is better to be foolish or uneducated. Rather, He is saying that the world’s wisdom and education does not bring us salvation in Jesus Christ. “In putting the strong and wise and great to shame, God does not exalt the weak and uneducated and worthless, but brings all of them down to one common level.” (Calvin)
Was Paul saying:
“you aren’t wise according to the world, you aren’t mighty, you aren’t noble - but you are among the foolish things of the world.” (EWC)
The commentary ended with this comment:
"No doubt, many of the Corinthian Christians were beginning to think of themselves in high terms because of God’s work in them. Paul will not allow this. They have not been chosen because they are so great, but because God is so great." (EWC)
Because GOD is SO great.....
It doesn't matter how you look, your status, your education, your wealth, or lack of, your possessions, or lack of....NONE of it makes you more or less useful to God!!
Jesus speaks of "the least of these" in Matthew 25. The "least of these" are described as those who are in need of basics for living ---- food, clothing and shelter. Have you ever heard the testimony of one of these who has been loved and cared for regardless of their appearance or social standing?
Years ago I saw a man sitting in church. I had not seen him before. His appearance was very unlike others. He stood out. Shorts and a tank top style t-shirt, tattoos from head to toe, disheveled hair....head hanging down as he sat there. God said, "Go talk to him". I had a bit of a conversation with God. "Are you sure? Me?" It was clear, God asked me to....and I AM greatly drawn to the artistry of a good tattoo 😉 ......The conversation, should I say his testimony, still blesses me to this day. I never saw him again but I will not forget him. I wonder if he felt out of place and uncomfortable......
One more story....I'm not always obedient 🙄....I was driving to church one Sunday morning. It was pouring rain. God said, "Give away your umbrella." I had a lot to say about that! I was coming closer to church and I saw a man walking in the rain ....he had shorts and a t-shirt on......I thought for a quick second, "Is this to whom I should give my umbrella?" I reasoned that he was already wet...what good would it do him now? I didn't think much more of it until I was dry and comfortable in my seat in church and turned and saw this very wet man sitting in the back. My heart was broken at my disobedience. He walked IN THE RAIN to worship the Lord and I wouldn't give my umbrella for not wanting to be a bit wet from my car to the front door. Recounting it now still makes my heart sad.
Jesus gave his LIFE for me. I didn't earn it, I don't deserve it but he freely gave it so that I am presented pure and blameless before the Father.
We each have a story.....a personal testimony....unique to us. God isn't looking at our appearance, our status, our wealth, our abilities.....he simply says come unto me and I will supply everything you need.
I love how God teaches through everyday circumstances. Sometimes it's joyful and sometimes it stings with correction but it's ALWAYS useful and ALWAYS causes growth.....if we're listening and have the "want to" to be changed. I can't wait to see what he has for me tomorrow.
Have a beautiful day!
Since it was the same day I was spending time with my granddaughters (who had a fully planned agenda) I couldn't just come home and wait for the novacaine to wear off. I found myself being unusually quiet, covering my face or explaining the "why". I'm not gonna lie, as the hours ticked on I thought (perhaps with some panic mixed in), "What if this doesn't get better? What if I have permanent damage to the nerve? What if I'm like this the rest of my life?" 😳
I began to think about people in the Bible that, by the way they looked or by what they'd done, by some deficiency they had or by some lack, were categorized as unlovely....the least of these if you will. As I dug deeper I was again and again reminded of Jesus' tender loving care of those society labeled as less than.
After having studied Exodus for two years I've been profoundly impacted by Moses. At one point he told God to pick someone else because he was so insecure about his ability to speak. Some research shows he had some kind of speech impediment...perhaps he stuttered. Yet, he was chosen by God. Though God did relent and appoint Aaron to speak on Moses's behalf, it's clear that God did not look upon Mose's speech issue as a deterent to his plan.
In 1 Samuel we are clearly told that God does not look at appearance.
"The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
And what about the church in Corinth? What did the Apostle Paul say to them?
"God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
1 Corinthians 1:28-29
I love this explanation:
God isn’t saying that it is better to be foolish or uneducated. Rather, He is saying that the world’s wisdom and education does not bring us salvation in Jesus Christ. “In putting the strong and wise and great to shame, God does not exalt the weak and uneducated and worthless, but brings all of them down to one common level.” (Calvin)
Was Paul saying:
“you aren’t wise according to the world, you aren’t mighty, you aren’t noble - but you are among the foolish things of the world.” (EWC)
The commentary ended with this comment:
"No doubt, many of the Corinthian Christians were beginning to think of themselves in high terms because of God’s work in them. Paul will not allow this. They have not been chosen because they are so great, but because God is so great." (EWC)
Because GOD is SO great.....
It doesn't matter how you look, your status, your education, your wealth, or lack of, your possessions, or lack of....NONE of it makes you more or less useful to God!!
Jesus speaks of "the least of these" in Matthew 25. The "least of these" are described as those who are in need of basics for living ---- food, clothing and shelter. Have you ever heard the testimony of one of these who has been loved and cared for regardless of their appearance or social standing?
Years ago I saw a man sitting in church. I had not seen him before. His appearance was very unlike others. He stood out. Shorts and a tank top style t-shirt, tattoos from head to toe, disheveled hair....head hanging down as he sat there. God said, "Go talk to him". I had a bit of a conversation with God. "Are you sure? Me?" It was clear, God asked me to....and I AM greatly drawn to the artistry of a good tattoo 😉 ......The conversation, should I say his testimony, still blesses me to this day. I never saw him again but I will not forget him. I wonder if he felt out of place and uncomfortable......
One more story....I'm not always obedient 🙄....I was driving to church one Sunday morning. It was pouring rain. God said, "Give away your umbrella." I had a lot to say about that! I was coming closer to church and I saw a man walking in the rain ....he had shorts and a t-shirt on......I thought for a quick second, "Is this to whom I should give my umbrella?" I reasoned that he was already wet...what good would it do him now? I didn't think much more of it until I was dry and comfortable in my seat in church and turned and saw this very wet man sitting in the back. My heart was broken at my disobedience. He walked IN THE RAIN to worship the Lord and I wouldn't give my umbrella for not wanting to be a bit wet from my car to the front door. Recounting it now still makes my heart sad.
Jesus gave his LIFE for me. I didn't earn it, I don't deserve it but he freely gave it so that I am presented pure and blameless before the Father.
We each have a story.....a personal testimony....unique to us. God isn't looking at our appearance, our status, our wealth, our abilities.....he simply says come unto me and I will supply everything you need.
I love how God teaches through everyday circumstances. Sometimes it's joyful and sometimes it stings with correction but it's ALWAYS useful and ALWAYS causes growth.....if we're listening and have the "want to" to be changed. I can't wait to see what he has for me tomorrow.
Have a beautiful day!
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