1 Corinthians 1:26-27

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” – Joseph Chamberlain

Do you find that change is more difficult today than in the past? Are you hostage to the “golden handcuffs” of a job or career so that you can afford the risk of doing something differently? Am I talking to someone other than me?

For a moment, consider the life of the disciples of Jesus before He called them. We don’t know all of their occupations, but we do know several were fishermen and at least one was a hated tax collector – not the kind of people you would choose to change the world!

I imagine these men going about their regular routines and maybe occasionally playing the “what if” game. What if I had been a better student of the Torah. How did I end up as a tax collector?

Jesus proved to the world that old dogs can learn new tricks. Peter, James, and John all learned how to follow Christ when most people thought they should invest in their fishing enterprise. Matthew was too far gone. What kind of man would sell out his friends and family and sacrifice his principles in order to make a living?

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1: 27).

Jesus called those men to follow because it is true that “old dogs can learn new tricks.” He calls us today. Will we follow?