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.
1 Corinthians 1:27
Contemporary ideas about perfection often looks very different to the way the Old and New Testaments went about things. The story of David being anointed as Israel’s future king by Samuel being a case in point. Speaking of David’s older brother, God says to a perplexed Samuel “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. For I do not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Jesus also mirrors that approach by not only picking a diverse group of men and women to do ministry with (we can assume that the rag-tag collection of people had many imperfections!) but he actually challenges the prevailing prejudicial thinking of the time by investing time and patience in affirming their low self-image and equipping them for service.
When I was growing up, little effort went into educating me. My school, by its own admission, had very low exceptions of the disabled children that went there. Learning to read, write and do a few sums being the best teachers could hope for us. When, many years later, I asked my former teacher why, she simply said, “What was the point? No one expected you to achieve much.”
Thankfully, much as changed in the last 20 years with regards the achievements of people who have either been born with, or acquired, a disability. Particularly in the secular world. In faith communities I wonder if we still have much to learn from Jesus’ approach? In the biblical drama series The Chosen, at least two of the 12 disciples have a disability that could have excluded them playing any useful part in Jesus’ mission on earth. Whether that was the case in reality, and I chose to believe it was, Dallas Jenkins thought it plausible enough to include them in his script. Taking a closer look at what drives our own prejudice may give us more confidence to embrace things that might appear foolish.
REFLECT…
PRAY…
& STEP OUT
on Aim 3 of the WeThe15 campaign launched at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Ask yourself, or in a group, what societal and systemic barriers exist that prevent inclusion.
for open mindedness about how we respond to people of difference, be it racial, cultural, physically or mental. Ask God to shine a light on any preconceived attitudes or behaviours towards them.
What one thing could you do that would start to address any preconceived ideas that might exist within a particular people group in your community that prevents them participating in your activities?