Equally Needed

Equally Needed

2 Corinthians 12: I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord. ² I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision—only God knows). ^3-4 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision—only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. ⁵ So I will boast about this man—but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. ⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say.

 

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Eloquent speakers, smart thinkers, strong athletes and talented people seemed to “always” be ahead of me when it came to being chosen. I would raise my hand but receive the words “That’s alright, we have already chosen someone else.” “Am I unwanted?” I would ask GOD.

 

• I felt untalented.
• I felt rejected.
• I felt unneeded, undesired, and unpleasant.

 

Paul speaks about his incredible encounter with the LORD. He was sought after by GOD to be a special messenger and was revealed an indescribable vision that catapulted his purpose to the highest level. Even though this uncommon event happened, he did not want anyone to have a higher opinion of him or be jealous of the calling.

 

My Observations

• I need to recognize GOD’s calling on my life.
• I need to look at only my relationship with the LORD and not be jealous of someone else’s.
• I need to live my life with the purpose GOD gave me and know it is just as important as the next person.

 

Titles cause me to think of people on different levels. I mean, when someone has a special title in the world’s eyes, I follow the protocol associated with that title. This may require extra attention I would not give to a “common” person. BUT GOD wants me to treat everyone the same.

 

HE wants me to see that all of us have sinned and fall short of HIS glory. HE then wants me to praise HIM when someone accepts HIS SON as their Savior so he or she can live a life for JESUS. HE wants me to live my life with that same purpose, knowing we are all equally loved by HIM. I am glad GOD loves me just as much as those who are called to do what they do.

 

Challenge

• While reading this passage, do you feel lower than the writer?
• Have you ever compared yourself to the names written in the Bible and felt better or worse?
• Will you consider not comparing yourself to others and know you are loved, needed and wanted to the highest by GOD today?

Usefulness Adjustment

Usefulness Adjustment

1 Corinthians 14: ⁵ I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues—unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped. ⁶ So when I come to you, my friends, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching.

 

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After being assigned to a group, I quickly felt inadequate. It seemed that each person was smarter than me and knew what they were doing. Meanwhile, I didn’t know what I was doing so I sat quietly waiting for the time to pass by. I dreaded the next time we would get together again.

 

• There have been times when I felt useless.
• There have been times when I felt I was not talented.
• There have been times when I felt like I was on the outside of usefulness.

 

Paul implores the people to focus the use of their GOD given gifts to proclaim GOD’s message. In his example, he mentions the gift of speaking in strange tongues. He compared this gift to proclaiming GOD’s message and said one had “greater” value than another. But Paul used the word “unless” to bring equilibrium to both talents.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to know HE gave me a gift that is special.
• GOD wants me to use my gift to “Proclaim HIS message.”
• GOD wants me to value the gifts other people have so they too can “Proclaim GOD’s message.”

 

Moving the spotlight on “me” is the problem. I mean when I can’t do something well or I feel inadequate, I want to shrink away and be silent. BUT GOD doesn’t want me to feel inadequate. HE wants me and everyone HE made to feel useful.

 

This requires me to move the spotlight on HIM. When I focus everyone’s attention on CHRIST, everything else falls in place. My gift then becomes useful.

 

Challenge

• What do you observe about the comparison of the two gifts mentioned?
• What do you notice about Paul’s preference versus the opening desire?
• How does this apply to your GOD given gift?
• Will you seek to proclaim GOD’s message more and more and know your gift is useful to HIM?

Detached

 

Detached

1 Corinthians 12: ²¹ So then, the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” Nor can the head say to the feet, “Well, I don't need you!” ²² On the contrary, we cannot do without the parts of the body that seem to be weaker; ²³ and those parts that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ which the more beautiful parts do not need. God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it. ²⁵ And so there is no division in the body, but all its different parts have the same concern for one another. ²⁶ If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.

 

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Walking into church, someone greeted me by name. I had no clue what his name was so I politely greeted him and kept going. This surface conversation was replicated with several people until service was over. I went home with no one knowing me or the circumstances I was going through.

 

• It was easy to be detached from other people’s problems.
• It was easy to smile in a group when everything was going wrong inside.
• It was easy to put up a front in church because others were doing the same.

 

Paul continues explaining the “body” of CHRIST. He flips from those who felt lesser than others to those who feel superior to people. “I don’t need you” is the mistake Paul is trying to correct. This brazen line of thinking is fostered by pride  and societal structures that naturally form hierarchies.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to break down hierarchies.
• GOD wants me to value what everyone brings to HIM.
• GOD wants me to know that when one person suffers, it is my obligation to suffer “with” him or her.

 

Detaching from people is easy and sometimes necessary. Carrying too many burdens can cause one to fall into despair. On the other hand, being detached puts up a façade that everything is alright, meanwhile life keeps getting messier and messier. GOD wants the “body” HE made to be there for one another.

 

No one is greater than another person. Only GOD is greater than all. We are made to share our hurts, pains, sins and point people to JESUS for salvation. Looking good in front of people is not the answer. Sharing JESUS as the healer, is the only way to truth. I am grateful for and need the body of CHRIST.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel it is easier to do things by yourself?
• What do you notice about the term “I don’t need you” in this explanation?
• What are your thoughts on “division?
• ”Will you seek help or seek to be helpful to someone today?

I Know a Place

I Know a Place

John 14: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

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“You always know great places to eat” someone said to me. It was a compliment that I took to heart in my own small way. I put the restaurant’s name and what they were known for in my contact list. When someone would ask me for a restaurant, I could recommend the place and what they sold.

• It felt great being asked for advice.
• It felt like I was helping by providing information.
• It felt nice that I could guide people to some enjoyment.

JESUS explained that HE was going to be murdered. HE then said “Let not your heart be troubled.” HE was trying to assure HIS disciples that HE is allowing the murder to fulfil HIS p[purpose. HE was going to prepare a place for those who believe in HIM. HE knew of a great place.

• JESUS has risen and is preparing a place for me.
• JESUS is alive and will return for me when HE has prepared the last place for the last person to believe in HIM.
• JESUS told me I know the way.

“In my FATHER’s house are many mansions” shows me HE is concerned about my quality of life. But HE also knows the deceiver will try to fool me into thinking I can create a false heaven on this cursed earth.

Scratching and clawing for the “best” food, clothes, cars, houses and jobs, to sustain the above, can exhaust any time with GOD. JESUS knows a place that is right for me and that place is with HIM. HE wants my heart to seek the kingdom. I do know a place and it is with JESUS.

• What place are you seeking?
• Are you being led by GOD or by your own desires?
• Will you seek GOD was your swelling place so HE can fill your empty heart today?