Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12             

1 Corinthians 2:1-12

Paul the apostle is not always easy to read. God gives him things to write that frankly sting. But God be thanked that Paul shied not away from penning the truth. And, by the way, God be thanked as well for those faithful who have passed down those words to us. Sting and all.

But Paul’s honesty is of a refreshing sort in our epistle reading this week where he admits, “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5).

I like that part. Paul is spelling out plainly that he doesn’t measure up in terms of the task he’s been given. I feel that way every single day when I cross the threshold of the church building where I serve God’s people. Every day. But I also get to “fall back” onto that which Paul lands and that is the immeasurable power of God’s Word. Paul is powerful and effective only because of the message he carries and because of Him whom the message proclaims.

That’s true of you as well, no matter what your God-given vocation. Are you a mom? Are you an attorney or teacher? A student, perhaps? In the vocation of Christian you and I will never measure up. But we must remember the One who sends us does. And He is the only One that counts. Just being honest.