by Joani Schultz
“…God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.” (1 Corinthians 1:20)
The more I understand the heart of Jesus, the more foolish I feel…
Our way
BIGGER
Bigger means better! Super-size us. Bigger attendance, bigger buildings, bigger cash.
God’s way
SMALLER
Jesus goes after the one, not the 99. Jesus welcomes little children. Jesus uses a minuscule mustard seed and says it’s all we need for faith.
Our way
INSTANT
Something’s not worth doing if we can’t see evidence. NOW! I want it NOW!
God’s way
SLOW
He’s a patient father waiting for his children to come to their senses. He waits for a seed to sprout and grow.
Our way
BLAME. GET EVEN.
Find someone, anyone to point a finger at. Because I can’t be responsible. Everybody else must be wrong.
God’s way
FORGIVE
Seventy times seven. (I can’t even do that math…)
Our way
COMFORT
Don’t challenge me or get me out of my comfy bubble. Avoid difficulties and conflict at all cost. I don’t like pain.
God’s way
SUFFERING AND RISK
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us…” (Romans 5:3-5)
Thank God!