Not the Wisdom of Men
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1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1. When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. 2. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; 4. and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5. that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Last week on the Youth in Mission trip to North Carolina, the guest speaker throughout the 4 days was RV Brown. He is a huge – I mean HUGE – man – 285 lbs., at least 6 feet 6, and, as he told us many times, at 52 years old can still bench press 405 pounds. And he was African American – of the “hellfire and brimstone” upbringing. I would estimate that perhaps 7 or 8 out of the 500 youth in attendance were African American (or another non-Caucasian ethnicity). Oh, did I mention that RV was LOUD!? I mean this man did not need a microphone to be heard in the building, let alone for about 100 feet outside the walls! So, you’re starting to get the picture: LOUD man, very large, completely unlike anyone 99.9% of us had ever experienced – except in an occasional action movie!
Some of the kids starting crying right away. They were terrified! Some of the adults were pretty scared too! And kind of upset, because he seemed harsh, LOUD, and he scared a lot of the kids.! But by Thursday morning, we had heard and seen him pray – on his knees. And we had seen him cry – and cry out to God – for the souls of every person in that gathering. And we all changed our perceptions of him. That was one of the important lessons for me: God takes many forms on this earth. And he will do anything – even send a scary, loud, big man into our lives – to get our attention!
RV Brown decided a long time ago that he knew nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And, like Paul, he was compelled to share the truth with any and everyone who would listen – even 500 or so Caucasians from the suburbs! This past year I’ve been working on courage. My own mom told me a couple of weeks ago that she has always thought I was brave. And one my covenant sisters said that almost a year ago to me! Funny how we don’t see in ourselves the qualities we most want, but that are most apparent to others!
I think that the very first night – Sunday, July 3, 2005 – RV Brown – through God’s grace in the form of this unusual and amazing man – I crossed a threshold in my life! That night – and the succeeding days and nights in those mountains – was life-changing! I have finally, after almost a ½ century, been able to step outside myself and allow God to use me as He desires. I am no longer too self-conscious to pray spontaneously, or to speak in front of others without a “script!” I finally know and understand that I am worthy to do that. And RV is the one who helped me realize that I was being disobedient by NOT doing what I believe God created me to do!
RV continued to implore us to fight the battle against evil. Satan is wily and wise and is in a battle for our souls. Speak the truth – to everyone. Tell the truth – at all times. Don’t worry about what people will think of you. Don’t be concerned about how you are perceived – let your life back up your words. Read the bible. Pray. Preach. Love. Make a difference with your life. You go, RV! Look out world! A whole bunch of people came home fired up for Jesus! And some of them were changed—forever!
My ardent prayer today is that you will always speak the truth, unconcerned about the doubters and scoffers of this world. And that you accept and rejoice that God has instilled in you all you need to make a difference in this world.
Mary
