Jan 9 - 1 Corinthians 1:28-29

 

God chose what is low

and despised in the world,

things that are not,

to reduce to nothing

things that are,

so that no one

might boast in

the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:28-29

 

Why do people boast?

 

Generally because we’re good at something.

 

But … good compared to who? and what?

 

I’m a very good artist … compared to many people. But not compared to Picasso. In 2010, he had a painting sell for $106.5 million. Wow. I’m a few decimal points off. Most of my art is worth $10.65 – at most.

 

Let’s say the scale of human art, then, is 0.0 to 106.5 million. How does that compare to God “artwork”? Picasso’s most expensive creation is on a canvas that’s about four feet by three feet.  God’s creation is about 46 billion light years across. Picasso can boast when compared to Ed. But not compared to God.

 

And that’s the point of today’s verse.

 

“God chose what is low and despised in the world” – average, ordinary people. Why? “So that no one might boast.” It’s not because of what we’ve done that anything great is happening. It’s because of what God is doing.

 

He does miracles. Not humans.

 

He cares for the outcasts. When too many of us turn away.

 

He builds cathedrals, not bishops or architects.

 

It is all for his glory. And if we boast, we’re really stealing from God.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a worm

(Is that a safe assessment,

or should I confess

that I’m really a germ

and that God deserves

the glory?)