Devotion of the Day:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (TEV) ²⁶ Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing. ²⁷ God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. ²⁸ He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. ²⁹ This means that no one can boast in God’s presence. ³⁰ But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God’s holy people and are set free. ³¹ So then, as the scripture says, “Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done.” 

This morning, after a very early dental appt, (Awesome Dentist is Dr. Grammas) I went to breakfast at a place I spent all to much time in college.

You see, I worked graveyard shift – both in High School and College, and I went to the Denny’s that was up the street from my dentist – the very one I worked at.

Memories of the kids from Chapman College – regular Friday night customers, and the staff from a local night club called Oscar’s, and the 3 couples that came in every night, ordered 3 bottles of wine and a plate of nachos.  Sam the Limo driver (a great tipper btw) and them Lisa and Vicky – my coworkers, and John and Miguel the cooks.  My senior pastor’s mom – who always left me very encouraging comment cards (they still sit in my file cabinet – one rubber banded handful fo them)  – I was taken back there…even thought the restaurant has been radically remodeled.  It’s been over 25 years since I worked there, yet the memories still are powerful….

The thoughts also made me think of this unique journey I’ve been on, and where I am now, of what I’ve done – of what I do.

It is a unique life, that of being a pastor – that of serving people when life it at its hardest, when it is at its most complicated, when they realize that they need God to come to them.  It is often then, that people finally listen a bit (there are some that always listen – but the bulk of people we minister too… get to distracted by life.)  they finally realize what it means to know God is with you.  When all else falls away, when our culture is seen to be worthless, when money or prestige, or possessions can not make a difference.  What has been set aside, what is considered not worth the time, becomes such, that which is passively rejected – now means something.  And pastors and priests are there to provide it.

What would life look like, if we didn’t ignore our faith?  What would it look like if we didn’t neglect our salvation?  How different would our lives look, and how would we spend our time?   Would we stress out as much, when the world seems to collapse?

What would it look like if we daily realized, “ ³⁰ But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God’s holy people and are set free.”

To be honest I am not sure – but I know today – we can realize this… and may our lives reflect it to others…