Who Are You Trying to Impress?

January 11, 2019

DAILY READING

1 Corinthians 2:1-13
This weekend’s reading: Revelation 2:1-7

FIELD NOTES
Have you ever tried to impress someone? Once, when I was in seminary, I had been asked to come to speak to a group of established pastors. I had about two months to get my talk together. I worked harder on that talk than I had on anything else up to that point in my life. I wanted to make a good impression. I wanted them to see potential in this 26-year-old seminary student, still green behind the ears. 
 
The day came. Every word was perfect. It was one of the best things I had ever written. I had practiced countless times. I was ready. My time to speak came. And everything fell flat. I couldn’t figure it out. I began flop sweating. By the end of my talk, I was a mess. 
 
Of course, I was discouraged, but more so, I was confused. Was I so off base in my preparation? Finally, my mentor came and found me and he pulled me aside, into a small classroom. 
 
“You know your fly was down the whole time you were speaking, right?”
 
This is a true story.
 
You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s master stroke, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-13, The Message)

QUESTIONS FROM THE FIELD