and the things that are not...

and the things that are not...

i have been contemplating that phrase over the past couple of weeks. it sits in this bible passage:

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"

this is encouraging to me...God picking the foolish things and the weak things, the lowly things and the despised things--and the things that are not. it is as if God purposefully picks the benchwarmers, not the superstars. He sees the scrawny kid on the playground, the one with downcast eyes and red cheeks, the one who has stopped hoping for the first round pick and started praying that he will be second-to-last instead of last (again). God sees this kid and says, "you. I want you."

this is the God that i have come to love. the One who chooses the things that are not. He is a God Who sees the big picture. He doesn't just see us as we are at that particular point in time...when we are weak/needy/foolish/lowly/despised. He sees the potential. He sees us as we will be, not just as we are.

i have not been particularly wise or strong over the past few weeks, which is probably why i have not written anything particularly "spiritual" lately. somewhere along the line, i forgot what i was worth. i stopped seeing what He sees in me, and i started buying into the lies the world sells me. it is so hard to trust sometimes, and my faith falters on a pretty regular basis, but it was harder to find it lately. i am lucky that God pursues me, even when i don't particularly want Him to. i have also been lucky that in the past few weeks, i have heard God say again, "you. I want you."

God, i am so grateful that when i am scared and stumbling, You don't give up on me. i'm thankful that when my faith is small, You are still big. i'm so glad that i don't have to be strong or wise. i pray for faith...that i may know You more...and in knowing You more, that i might trust You more. amen.