Believe for Impossible, But Discern Stupid

I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles... (2 Corinthians 12:11). 

The earnest yet unpolished Apostle Paul's long-distance leadership was being challenged by the Church in Corinth. Why? For one, he didn't ask for a salary! The leadership used that and other arguments to claim he was attempting to manipulate the church body. On-site leadership desired to overthrow his power, and Jesus-followers desperately needed discernment. 

Spiritual as well as common-sense discernment is beneficial, as we interact with others and even in everyday life situations. To help us make solid decisions. This simple, personal story bomb attempts to illustrate discernment, or the lack thereof.

It is a cloudy, rainy morning; and as with most workdays, I am the first in my department to arrive at 7:30 a.m. I.AM.CHILI-BRINGER... for today’s birthday lunch. Ugh! Why is it raining at this moment, the morning I've brought food? How will I carry a full crock-pot, the compact elephant-sized kind, AND keep my hair dry with no raincoat hood? Should I wait and ask for a later-arriver's help? No… just think of it as a shortened triathlon, and believe for impossible.

Yoga's easy Eagle Pose

My trusty polka dot umbrella pops up, as hoped for. I carefully press its skinny handle into the crook between my head and shoulder, managing to cover my styled coiffure. Thus far, my neck is uncomfortably kinked to the right, but my left hand is free to open the vehicle's rear door with dry hair, no problem. I take a deep breath, bend at the knees like a Yoga instructor in the Eagle Pose, and reach for the crock-pot situated on the floor. 

Now, stupid begins because multi-tasking with a heavy pot is not wise. The weight of the chili-filled container requires flexed arms, coordination, and muscle. After skillfully rising, I step back and fling my bony elbow to close the car door. My encumbered right hand somehow frees a feeble finger to press the remote’s lock button. Triathlon "Leg One" completed.

I amble to the covered entrance. The umbrella is no longer needed, so I drop it and contemplate "Leg Two"… somehow opening the building's door, with both hands already in use. Can it be done, the announcers anxiously ask? 

One of my crock-pot-carrying palms has four ever-willing fingers to grasp the handle. The fingers half-way fling the door open, and I slip through. Whew! I’m in!

"Leg Three," climbing the first of three flights of stairs, feeling mega-encumbered... the second flight... and then the third. By now my heart is racing with labored breathing. On a drizzly, dreary morning, I experience a meager victory. I plug into the conference room’s electrical socket the intact crock-pot with its tres bon chili. Woot, woot.

An impossible accomplishment for which I feel proud. But why? Are impatience and feel-good vanity all-important factors? Nothing bad happened, but where is wisdom?

Disclaimer: NEVER attempt this impossible feat. Press out of the moment, to discern stupid: For vanity's sake, wear a hooded raincoat, and for safety's sake... WAIT FOR HELP.

The Church in Corinth, too, needed prayerful help... from God. To either listen to tangible, onsite, manipulative leadership that was attempting to undermine Paul's authority. Or, to step back and remember off-site, solid, motivating Paul. They knew of his miraculous change to Christianity. He was a supernaturally-provided leader. 

All that glitters (and makes us feel good) is not gold, nor are decisions based solely on our fickle feelings. It takes discernment, and like Yoga's praying Eagle Pose, is easier said than done. If we were Jesus-followers in Corinth, what would we have discerned and decided regarding transparent, earnest, rough-edged Paul?