March 08, 2014

God Uses the Foolish

Many people have what they call a “life verse.” No one has ever explained that term to me, but from the way people use it, I suppose it’s a verse that somehow captures the essence of your new life in Christ. If that’s the case, my life verse is 1 Corinthians 1:27: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.” That’s me. Verse 26 says: “Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards.” Yep, sure enough, that’s me. And I’m incredibly grateful that’s the way God works. You see, I never think I’m smart enough or theologically astute enough to really be of help to others. The good news is that the passage doesn’t end with verse 27, but goes on to say that we “are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (vv. 30-31).

When my wife and I started counseling, even after all our training, we told our mentor that we just didn’t feel very ready. His answer was simply, “you’ll give them something better that anyone else out there has to offer.” The “anyone else” he was referring to, of course, were the secular counselors who would prescribe medication or perhaps tell a spouse to go ahead and divorce so he/she can find fulfillment elsewhere. As Paul continues in Chapter 2, I can’t come with “lofty speech or wisdom” but I can come proclaiming “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (v. 2). That’s the “something better” that I can give them. I can offer hope (and boast in the Lord) because Christ has overcome sin, has enabled us to walk in newness of life (Rom 6), and has given us the Scriptures that we may know how to please him (1 Thess 4:1).

Even then, it’s not that simple. As counselors, we have to listen, listen, listen; then ask questions and listen some more. All the while, we pray for the Wonderful Counselor to give us His wisdom and to lead us in truth (John 16:13). I still feel foolish and inadequate when I come to counsel people. But I know for certain that God uses means to help people and it’s exhilarating to sometimes be “the means.” It’s exciting to see God at work in people’s lives as they overcome sin, are relieved of depression, or see their marriages healed and even stronger than ever before. It’s amazing to watch because I know it’s God at work and not me; I’m just pointing them in the right direction (upward!). Now, I really do study so I can be the best counselor that I can be – after all, it’s important to develop the gifts that God has given you. Over the years, I have become more comfortable as a counselor partially because I have studied and learned how to think biblically through a number of issues people deal with. But I have become more comfortable mainly because I have seen God at work in people’s lives through, and often times despite, my best efforts. Whatever your gift, develop it to the glory of God and trust Him to “give the growth.”

Remember, God uses the foolish of the world. I can attest to that.