"Consider your own call, brothers and sisters, not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 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. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" - I Corinthians 1:26-31
This doesn't describe the church I was called into. Growing up and even now, the church I am a part of for the most part, is filled with wise and powerful people. The members of our church are strong and capable. They are people who have other people work for them. They are clever enough to make a lot of money. As a pastor I have a college degree and two graduate degrees. I make a good salary by any worldly standard. I have experience and wisdom in many areas. Life here is a bit like Garrison Keilor's "Lake Wobegon" "...where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average!"
What's hard for a capable church is humility. It's funny, but humility is the first qualilty of the character of Jesus. (See Philippians 2!) Those of us called into the family of God in my context have first the need to be humbled by those who we perceive to be weaker in worldly standards but are richer in Kingdom qualities. It is the reason why it is so difficult for those of us in North America to relate to people of developing nations. We arrive on the scene in a developing nation and it doesn't take long for our American know-how to kick-in and start asking why they don't do things the way we do things. Or suggesting solutions before we understand the problems. Or...take your pick. We do it because we are capable. We do it out of our own wisdom and resourcing. We can be so right and cover up completely what God is trying to do.
It's not about giving God the credit. It's about allowing people to see right through us to the One who is sustaining us, who is our life.
The Call is a call to die to ourselves. To be humbled about where I life comes from. It is a Call that is challenging, because it challenges our presumptions about ourselves. We have ourselves called into question. The humble, the weak, the outcast, - they begin at a place where they already believe little about themselves, and so when God comes, they rejoice and give him the glory. (I know this is sweeping and general but you get the contrast and the challenge.) It is hard for the capable to let go of their position of strength. All of us will be challenged by the Spirit and/or by life itself, to let go. Our position of strength will either be taken from us by force, handed over willingly, or have it erode under us over the long haul.
When Frodo Baggins took his place as the Ringbearer, he did so not with great physical strength or ability. He was not the bearer who was the most wise or the most influential. His great strength lay in his steadfastness and humility.
The Call of God isn't intended to flatter. It is intended to woo, to tempt, to attract, to coerce, to get you to move toward the life God has for you. It is not based on you or your skill. It is wholly based on the love of God and his desire to be with you.
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