They are just human

There is almost a cult-like following for some of the celebrities of the day, including politicians. We are mesmerized by their talk, position or perhaps looks. Whenever this happens, I have to check myself that I am not idolizing them beyond their "human-ness". I may have shared about my experiences of presenting or speaking in front of 3 prime ministers of Malaysia and 1 previous late King of Malaysia. It was a great privilege to have these opportunities and was I nervous? No, because by the time I was 30 I had presented to 3 Malaysian cabinet ministers. One thing God made clear in my heart was that these were mere men that have human needs like me and they need God in their lives. Paul is warning the church to stop idolizing mere men like himself.

1 Corinthians 3:5-7
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

God gave the increase! We cannot rely on men to build our God given faith. If you do, you stand a great chance to be disappointed. The disappointment can lead to a falling away from God. You blame the man you followed. But the blame is on you for following a mere human. The Corinthians came to the Lord in big numbers but could not break from their old paradigms of worshipping their leaders, like the emperor of Rome.

1 Corinthians 3:19-23
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

The person of focus, and the "go to" person is God. There is only so much our finite human mind and ability is capable of thinking and doing respectively. You can choose people you admire as human examples, but these men and women should direct you to God, as did Paul in this chapter.

Father, I boast in Your presence in my life. Your anointing.

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