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“"Sane or Crazy?"”

Thoughts for Today:

I talk to a lot of people who are in trouble. There is a common thread in almost every conversation. At one time or another they will almost invariably say, “I have to spend more time on myself. I have to start putting myself first.” They think the solution to their problem is becoming more self-centered. Just the opposite is true.

It is so strange that the world considers people who don’t put themselves first as being crazy. In our passage today, Paul too had people who considered him crazy (“out of his mind”). Why? Because he didn't place himself first. According to Jesus, the only sane ones are those who deny themselves, and then place God and others first. (Matthew 16:24-25: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.")

Why did some people say that Paul and his companions were "out of their mind"? Because they didn't act "normally". They totally disregarded their own well-being for the sake of the Gospel. Paul had fought beasts in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 15:32), and he and Barnabas were stoned and left for dead outside of Lystra. Yet, they still got up and went back into the same city (Acts 14:19-20). Paul wanted the Corinthians and everyone else to know -- whether they considered him sane or crazy -- everything he had done was first for God and then for them. No matter how crazy it might seem.

Questions to Ponder:

What motivates what you do? Is it for your own benefit first? Where does God fit on your decision making matrix? Is He at the top? Is He even a consideration? What about others? Do your priorities need to change? Have you become too self-oriented?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.