Be Still… – Page 218 – Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart

1 Corinthians 11:2-16 – Bad Hair Day

hair flowing in the wind with read leaves in the background

My hair has grown longer in the last two years than it has EVER been! I look in the mirror and still marvel at how it almost touches my rear end! I’ve always dreamed of having long hair, but for one reason or another, I’ve never let it grow like this. Imagine the thrill at reading today’s text!

Just when I was wondering what cover my head needed in worship, I read this. “And isn’t long hair a woman’s pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering.” But what about women who have short hair. In the hot season we’ve been enduring here in Mexico, I would have LOVED short hair. But long hair can easily be put up into a ponytail or braid or bun to help us keep cool. I still had to ponder, what does all of this hair business have to do with worship?

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 – Give Glory to God

Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

What if I had titled this reflection, “Be a People Pleaser” instead? After all, Paul does say, “I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do.” Taking that sentence out of context could easily lead us off course. Take careful note of Paul’s motivation. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” and “I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.”

Paul’s discussion is still dealing with the idea of eating food used in worship of idols. This seems to be a very serious dispute for the first audience. I’m still grappling with what kind of food that could mean for us today.

1 Corinthians 10:1-22 – Being Tempted

Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

direction signs that say "over here" and "no this way"

There is a lot going on in this reading, and we’ll reflect on a couple things I have missed before. What was it that spoke to you today? It’s cool that the Holy Spirit will reveal new insights to God’s word each time when we allow him to speak to our hearts and minds. Sometimes we need to slow down so we can listen for what the Spirit is prompting us to hear.

Did you notice how Paul uses the story of the Israelites in the wilderness to help illustrate the whole food issue he’s been talking about? Keep in mind that the majority of his audience would be Gentiles, so using “our ancestors” is a nice way of bringing them into a story they were not originally part of.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Discipline of Faith

Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Have you ever been an athlete training for a big game or sporting event? It wasn’t until I was in my fifties that I really understood the intense discipline it takes athletes to prepare. I thought being a kickboxing instructor had been the epitome of my athleticism until my husband and I found a karate dojo in our new town. We began training for our black belt certification, and I’ll never forget the grueling four-hour test of my strength, will, and endurance.

Paul’s talk of running a race and being disciplined in training brought all those memories back for me. It’s also helpful to note that Paul’s original audience would have been very familiar with a sporting event, much like the Olympics, which was held every two years in Corinth called the Isthmian Games. Paul’s words would have been very powerful because of this association.

1 Corinthians 9:15-23 – Burning Motivation

Read 1 Corinthians 9:15-23

After Paul’s comments about getting paid in our last reading, he seems to be singing a different tune here–at least when it comes to his own payment. Paul feels confident God has commissioned him to spread the gospel. It’s like he would burst if he didn’t preach about Jesus. Any payment or support is appreciated, but it’s not his motivation.

Remember Jeremiah’s cry in Jeremiah 20:9? “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” Jeremiah had just been arrested for speaking a message he received from God. He, too, like Paul, had a burning motivation that couldn’t be quenched.

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