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Devotions for November 9, 2020

 

Prayer

O God, ruler of all that is, be with and bless us in our work and ministry for your reign. Guide all that we do and say, so that others will recognize your presence in our efforts and proclamations. Cork our mouths when we are about to say something foolish or unhelpful. Stay our feet and hands when they are about to do something foolish or unhelpful. Let all that we are be a witness to your goodness and vitality among us! Strengthen and embrace all those that are in need as we place them before you. You know their names and count them each in love and care. Give peace and comfort to all who are experiencing a loss. For you are our all in all, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.

In the law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people; yet even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord. Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, “God is really among you.”

 

Reflection

The church in Corinth was a mess. They had all sorts of issues, conflicts and problems. They were a beginning group of believers surrounded by all the vices that come with heavy trade and travel. One of their issues was speaking in tongues, seemingly in part to impress and prove authenticity to outsiders. Christianity has long past the time of trying to prove itself as real, but the need to present itself as relevant and not collectively “out of their minds” is still important for connecting with those who are not a part of the church. If we consider all those who have left the church or become largely inactive, we have a strong need to convey Christ crucified more clearly.

One of the biggest points for clarity is the focus and purpose of worship and Christian life as a whole. Speaking in tongues is largely an individual spiritual experience, only of benefit if there is someone interpreting. Isn’t this still a big problem for the church, focusing on the experience of self. The purpose of worship is to give honor and praise to God, offer gifts, lift petitions, and proclaim the Word. In a life of so much “me” time and “my people” or “my stuff,” worship is in stark contrast as “other” time. Loving God and loving one another means to let go of self and turn it over to the One who owns, claims, and delivers the self into a new reality that is beyond the former self.