Using the unusable

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1.26-31

Way back when I was in school I was subjected to that most miserable and unfair and cruelest experiences. It was the infamous picking of teams. I still get a know in my stomach. I hated it. The only question was whether I would be last picked or the penultimate pick. Actually, I didn't know the word 'penultimate' then so I just hoped I'd be 'next to last.' Next to last wasa great accomplishment for me. 

I don't blame then. I was slow and weak and sickly and unskilled and had/have no athletic skills. If I were picking and I wanted to win I would have picked me last. if ou are going to win you want to pick the best. 

It seems childish, but that principle applies to everyday life today. 

If I were going to build an army to fight a war or put together a team to play a sport I would of course go for the strongest, the fastest, the most well known, and the smartest players. I would pick a team of winners. 

All that makes this passage amazing. God doesn't usually choose the wise and noble and the strong. Instead God chooses the foolish and the weak and the base. It would be like me being chosen first back in those school days. 

God delights in using the most unusable of all. If Gid used the most useable then they would have opportunity to glory in themselves. They could brag about what an amazing job they did. They might even think they could do it all without God's help. 

But God uses normal people like you and me. He is the only one worthy of glory. 

The last phrase quotes from Jeremiah 9. It is a lesson we can all from our inability. 

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”