You think you already have everything you
need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God's kingdom
without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be
reigning with you. Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on
display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor's parade, condemned to
die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.
Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise
in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are
ridiculed. Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don't have enough clothes
to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. 1 Corinthians
4:8-11
Paul was writing to the people at the
church in Corinth, specifically to the church leaders there. He was contrasting
the way they were exalting themselves and their wisdom with the way the
apostles were living a harsh daily life. Not even enough clothes to keep warm.
It reminds me of a video I watched recently, “The Shelter” about some homeless
people and how they coped…or didn’t cope with their problems. There are people
who treat their pets better than homeless people on the streets live. That video
gave me some real insight into dumpster
diving. People joke about things they find in dumpsters, but they don’t
have to live on the food and wear the clothes that they find in those garbage receptacles.
Unfortunately, some homeless people do depend on dumpster diving to provide
their basic necessities. They may be wondering, “Where is that God who promises
to provide everything we need?” Good question. Why does He allow suffering,
pain, distress? Why do people make choices to do meth or other drugs that ruin
their bodies and their minds? The good mind that God gave them? Can they be
rehabilitated? Many people say, "Who
will show us better times?" Let your face smile on us, LORD. Psalm 4:6.
What can you do to help? Can you provide food or clothing to a homeless person
through your church or local mission? That may bring a smile to their face…and
give them hope.
Choices. Every day we make choices…moment
by moment we choose to honor God with the way we care for this temple He has
given us. Don't you realize that your body
is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must
honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Even when we are in pain—from
arthritis, a fall, or burned fingers, we need to still focus on God…He cares
about us even when we are hurting. He can use that pain to His gain, so don’t
bad mouth Him, get discouraged, or blame Him for your troubles. I recently
asked a friend who has been a paraplegic for seventeen years for his wise
advice to share in this blog. He said, “Always
smile.” He is amazing—he has been smiling for all these years…and even
before the auto accident that took his ability to walk. He just has a great
attitude—but it is by his CHOICE. He chooses to put a smile on his face. He
added, “When you meet people if you smile, they’re going to get to know you.” A
smile sets others at ease, it encourages them, and gives them hope. Like the
hope of a renewed relationship when Jacob and Esau got back together. But Jacob insisted, "No, if I have found
favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your
friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! Genesis 33:10. Esau’s
smile gave Jacob hope…like seeing the face of God.
May
the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. Numbers 6:25.
Prayer
~ Lord, open our eyes to see ways that we can be Your hands and feet…and may
Your smile be on our faces—giving hope, encouragement and acceptance to those
whose paths cross ours. May we graciously choose to smile. Bless my friend,
Mel, that he would continue to smile.
He is such an example of Your love and grace. Thank you for his friendship—and the
wisdom that You have given him.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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