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.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NIV)

Over the Christmas holiday I enjoyed getting together with two dear old friends. It just so happens that both of them have spent their careers in higher education. Both of my friends have been very successful in their respective positions. Over lunch, however, they regaled me with stories about what it’s like to work and live in that institutional system. Let me just say that I’m glad I’m not them. I am, however, glad that they are there. That system needs good people.

As the cultural and political divide in America has grown, I’ve observed an increasing backlash against Christianity in my lifetime. I have heard it argued that the world would be far better off had Christianity never existed, and that Christianity is the root of all cultural ills. Much of this criticism comes out of the academic world.

Along my life journey, I’ve learned to try and avoid sweeping generalizations. My point in bringing this up is simply the observation that faith has always had its critics among the world’s intellectual elites. Jesus’ harshest critics were among the most learned of His own people. His chosen disciples were certainly not highly educated. One of the reasons Paul was such a key figure in the early Jesus Movement was the simple fact that he was highly educated in the Jewish system and he happened to be from Greece, the center of intellectual learning in that day. Paul crossed over into both of the cultural worlds that were at the heart of the Jesus Movement.

Today’s chapter is the opening of a letter that Paul sent to the fledgling group of Jesus’ followers in the Greek city of Corinth. Paul had received news that there were a number of troubles among the Jesus followers there, so he is writing to address those troubles. He begins his letter by reminding the believers of something that God had been proclaiming for centuries. God’s ways are not humanity’s ways. The way of Jesus flows against the tide of typical human thinking and feeling, especially among those who consider themselves wise and learned.

The prophet Isaiah wrote,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”

So, in the quiet this morning, Paul reminds me that I shouldn’t be surprised when the world misunderstands, belittles, and/or maligns my faith in Jesus. Quite the opposite, I should expect it, especially from the world’s institutions of knowledge and learning. I have observed that they have their own brand of faith, but it’s in something completely different. I find it fascinating that Paul begins his letter with this simple observation. God’s ways will always run against the grain of the ways of the world. If I am truly following in Jesus footsteps there will always be people who think I’m crazy. It’s one of the ways I know I’m on the right track.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.