1 Corinthians 1:26-31
O Lord, hear me praying; listen to my plea, O God my King, for I will never pray to anyone Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This time of year, I always think about my first car. My parents could not afford much, which was evidenced by the original vehicle Daddy brought home for me. I think it was a 1953 Chevy, and it was horrible – basically a rusted shell of a car that needed engine work – and also a new interior. My dad said he was going to restore this old car, but then he found a mint green (1962, I think) Dodge Lancer that actually ran – and was in better shape. Think pale pistachio ice cream – but not that pretty! The paint job was terrible, and Daddy said we would get the car repainted.
While I was away for two weeks at band camp, the paint job was completed. I had selected a nice blue color. Daddy had the car repainted its original ugly green to save money! I was devastated! But that old car got me where I needed to go for the rest of my high school years. I drove myself and my siblings to school and back in it each day – and the summer Greg and I married, I drove myself and a friend back and forth to the University of Central Arkansas in it daily for one summer term. We dubbed the car “The Green Weenie!”
I can tell you…this experience certainly made me appreciate subsequent vehicles…especially my first brand new car in my name, which we purchased a couple of years ago. I feel like a queen every time I drive it! The vehicle is safe, probably smarter than I am – and it is a beautiful, frosted-white that reminds me of a pearl. Now, I could get from Point A to Point Be in both vehicles. Yes, the newer car is more comfortable, but I would venture to say the gas mileage is nowhere near as good as that of the “Green Weenie!” And that old car was surely less complicated…no computer control board, no “Siri” or voice-activated controls, and no “memory”…just a “three-on-the-tree” standard transmission, manual windows, a heater, and a clean car that protected us from wind and rain – and ran most days!
In the scheme of things, does it matter what car we drive? Yes, Greg and I enjoy the comfort and safety of my new vehicle…the roominess when we are going on a trip (especially with all three kiddos in tow). But does driving it make me more valued to God? No. And neither do a lot of the things on which we humans place such importance. God doesn’t see us as the sum of who we are or what we own…He sees us as the precious, potential-filled beings He created us to be. And I will tell you…some of the people I grew up with who drove true clunkers turned out to be far nicer human beings than those who were gifted brand new cars and the latest and greatest of everything. Some of the most faith-filled Christians I have ever known were (and are) “nobodies” by the world’s standards…and they inspire me to be a better servant.
I am grateful for the life I have…and the abundant blessings I enjoy. Greg and I worked hard to be able to afford and enjoy such things as a nice home and a new car. But these do not define us…and I hope that nobody ever looks at us and sees anything but humble, faithful servants of God Almighty. And to paraphrase Paul’s words in The Message, I hope the only “horn” we ever blow is a trumpet for God.” Alleluia!
©2024 Debbie Robus
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