“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 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. God 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 the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
It happened to be one of those Sunday mornings.
You know the ones.
After getting up a little too late and speeding through six showers in record time (if you’re lucky, you made it in the top half with hot water), vetoing one growing boy’s high-water pants that were sent back for a last minute outfit change, breaking up sibling quarrels and refereeing which poor children had to sit in the loathed back seat of the minivan, we slipped into the back pew just as the music began to play. I stared at the packed rows in front of us.
How do these people pull off looking like they have their acts together week after week?
My friend across the aisle smiled and waved, and I shot back the best “church smile” I could muster as sweat beads slowly dripped down my back. As the piano began to play, I desperately wanted to prepare my heart for worship. I wanted to have it all together and give my best to Jesus. But all I could think about was the impatience, anger, and harsh words that had hijacked our morning.
The fifteen minute drive to church had humbled us. Apologies were offered and forgiveness was extended. But sitting in that pew – dressed in our Sunday best and trying to pretend like nothing had happened – left me feeling like an imposter.
Man, we’re broken.
With our Bibles open to 1 Corinthians 11, the deacons made their way to the front to pass the bread and the cup. Lord, communion… today of all days?! I instantly felt so unworthy.
Foolish.
Weak.
Lowly.
Broken.
In my pride, I had wanted our family to walk through those church doors that morning looking like we had our act together. I wanted to be strong instead of weak. I wanted to be polished instead of falling apart. I wanted to settle in on that Sunday morning – and every day for that matter – feeling pretty great about myself and all that I had accomplished. But the church isn’t a perfect place full of perfect people.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
It’s a place for the sick to come and find hope – not in their own wisdom, status, or performance – but in the person and work of Jesus.
It’s where the truth of who He is trumps our flaws and failures; where we worship Him for the depth of His forgiveness and the newness of His mercies.
It’s where the broken are welcomed and where the weary can find rest; where His wisdom reigns over the hardness of our hearts and the loud voices of the world.
It’s where once again we can find the end of ourselves at the foot of the cross, humbled by His sacrifice and amazed by His transforming power in us.
It’s where we can be filled up to go out and proclaim to a lost world that it isn’t us – but rather Him – who has done it all.
Wise.
Strong.
Exalted.
Whole.
This is Christ. Hallelujah, this is Christ in us!
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus. Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord…
At His feet,
Let’s talk: In what areas are you tempted to boast in yourself instead of the Lord? Like Paul, where is God calling you to speak up and boldly make much of Him?
Whitney I loved the blog today! I used to get in car and yell, yes yell, ” why do we have to go to church mad?!” It was usually after fighting with kids that didn’t want to go to church. But the beautiful thing was after opening hymn a peace and joy and calm seemed to wash over us all and nothing else mattered. We are all broken, even those that don’t show it, and He loves us anyway. I’m so thankful for his mercy and love and everyday I’m thankful for this group.
Mondee~LGG Encourager
Whitney, I absolutely love your post and can relate to everything you said about the “Sunday rush” — including speeding through showers and missing the hot water, the last minute outfit change (mine is usually some missing or mis-matched sock problem) and breaking up sibling quarrels, etc. etc. I breathed such a sigh of relief feeling “You too Whitney- you so understand!!!!” Yes, my pride wants my family to be the one who comes early to church….and the mom who always remembers to wipe off the leftover syrup on their faces, but alas, I often miss the mark. I thank God for His grace and for my wonderfully imperfect church where I can humbly place my everything at the foot of the cross. Thanks Whitney for bringing a smile to my morning :-).
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Launi,
Thank you for being with us and sharing this morning! We are all perfectly imperfect, aren’t we? But it’s our flaws and life experiences that make us unique and relatable to others. And it’s those trials and imperfections that God uses for good and for His glory!
Thank you, Whitney, for your openness and honesty. I needed this reminder …. although I’m taking a little twist of my own. I’ve lived alone for quite a few years now as a result of divorce and children growing up and moving out. After years of trying to fruitlessly please my husband, I have taken on the attitude .. “I live to please me, no one else”. I was tired of trying .. only to be hurt and rejected. But I’ve been feeling more and more hollow with my “it’s about me” attitude. I have not been sitting in church wishing I was as together as those around me. Instead my thought was “You don’t like my hair? My new glasses? My whatever? .. tough, don’t look.” … my own warped sense of boasting in myself. OUCH! I’ve had a wake up call this morning!!
Diane,
We are so glad you enjoyed today’s post and are joining us! My journey has been very similar to yours, so I truly relate with the whole empty nest and being on your own. Doesn’t God have perfect timing? He sends us a sign or message to get our attention and put us back on His intended path for us! All glory, praise and boasting be to Him and about Him, God Bless!
I remember this so clearly as I was in a Daja vu, I would say to myself time and time again. I’m tired of portending that things at perfect in my family, when we really are Brocken, but pastor would say on many occasions, if your hav ring a bad day, week, month all the more reason to be in church, a place of serenity for just that 2 hours section, it was true. I can relate to this story, and look back and laugh that was us in a nut shell. The awesome part was it was growth and perseverance, and I thank go’s for allowing the trials I had to bring me were I am today. Thought I share god bless.
We are so grateful that you are reading along with us and that you see your trials as a test of faith, perseverance and growth. It’s wonderful to look back on our lives and see what God brings us through to get to where He wants us. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story.
Thank you Whitney for sharing with transparency. I have experienced many a Sunday (unfortunately, & to my shame) like the one you described. Squabbles, a messy kitchen, tardiness, bad hair day, kids, disorganization, whatever it was….so many excuses but no real excuse good enough to cause silence & scowls on the way to church! It always made me feel like an actress, wiping the negative emotions that manifest on my face & replacing it with a fake smile as I said good morning to the cheerful greeters at the door of our church. It made me feel awful, like we were the only family going through this sort of struggle. But how humbling it was to stand before my God, asking him to empty all the junk and fill me with his forgiveness, grace and wisdom….so that I could truly enter into a place of genuine worship. That’s the beauty of it… He knows our stuff would prevent us from coming to Him, so despite that, He just loves on us…through the people, the songs, the message. I always leave His house much happier, calmer, and so deeply grateful, than when I arrived.
Heidi,
Isn’t that the truth? Sometimes we feel like we are the only ones experiencing struggles and doing our best to put on that happy face for the crowd. But, if we are truly honest, we have all been there! God puts us where we need to be to share and receive testimony. Praise His Holy Name and thank you for joining us!
Thank you for such an honest post. I have been so there so many times. It’s so nice to know we are not alone in this area. We are broken and that’s ok.