Seeking God through our strength and intellect seems to have been the human way since God created the universe and creatures in it. In the biblical story of the tower of Babel, God cast us down speaking all the different tongues of the world in order to confuse us. For millennia, humans have been divided by language, culture, and geography. Meanwhile, we have been busy creating tools to improve our existence. In the current age, humans have created technologies that have connected us, shared information, and made vast distances a matter of hours of travel. I once heard a prophet of technology state, with a straight face, that in the age of computers and internet access for every student, Susie could study algebra at 2:00 a.m. if she chooses. As a former educator, I can assure you that if Susie is online at 2:00 a.m., the chances that she is studying algebra are really quite small.

In an age of technology, we have created an illusion and myth that every person has a voice and information is accessible to all. We seem to think that this will fix what ails the human condition. Translation of unknown language can now be rendered in an instant; therefore, we can communicate freely. Yet we live in a world of misunderstanding. War, crime, hatred, and poverty have not disappeared despite our technology.

When God looked upon the effort of the people of Babel and said, "they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them," the condemnation was about hubris and choices, not the tower and the tools. It appears that humans have learned nothing. Thousands of years have passed, and we continue to think that our intelligence and our collective knowledge will save us from the human condition.

Humans are capable of amazing things, especially when we work together to meet a goal. We can accomplish goals that are both amazingly kind and generous, but our goals are just as often amazingly stupid, harmful, and even evil. Human tools allow us to work. The tools we create are neither good nor evil. The work is either guided by the Holy Spirit or it is not. Those who shout about their wisdom the loudest are likely to be those who work with a "senseless and darkened heart."

Lord, allow us to always focus on your creation not our own. Let us not follow the myths we tell ourselves about our own technology and tools but focus on what you allow us to do in Your name. May every tool we pick up be put to good use to do the work you ask of us to help our neighbors and bring your kingdom close, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

John 9:25 contains one of the simplest and bravest testimonies in Scripture. The man who had been born blind stood before religious authorities who wanted him to deny what had happened to him. They had already decided what was acceptable to believe. They already had the "correct" answer.

But the man refused to pretend.

"I don't know what to tell you about all your arguments," he essentially says. "What I do know is this: I was blind, and now I see."

That answer cost him something. Before this moment, his parents had already shown fear. They answered cautiously because they worried about what the authorities might do to them. They feared exclusion. They feared consequences. Honestly, most of us understand that fear. Sometimes keeping quiet feels safer than speaking honestly about what we have experienced.

But this man chose truth over conformity.

Notice something important: the blind man did not heal himself. Jesus opened his eyes. Grace did the work. But the man still had to decide whether he would embrace what Jesus had done and stand by it when pressure came.

That still happens today.

Sometimes opening your eyes changes relationships. Sometimes it disrupts old assumptions. Sometimes people become uncomfortable when your lived experience no longer fits their expectations or categories. Faith in Jesus does not always make life easier socially. Sometimes it makes a person inconvenient.

But there is quiet courage in simply telling the truth.

"I don't know everything. I can't answer every argument. But I know what Christ has done in me."

And sometimes that testimony speaks more powerfully than winning the debate ever could.

Father, sometimes it's hard to simply tell the truth. We ask not only that you would help us to see past our own preconceptions to perceive the truth, but to give us the strength to proclaim it and live it. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Donn King.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Some years ago I was invited to attend an awards banquet by a friend who was being honored for his research at the university. I learned that he was internationally known for his work in the field of cattle nutrition. While I enjoyed the evening when it came to the speeches I was clueless. They were talking about his work using terms and concepts that I did not understand. The powerpoint they showed meant nothing to me. I enjoyed the pictures but the content, not so much. However, those in the know were thoroughly captivated by what they saw.

I thought about that experience when I read this passage from I Peter. We who are followers of Christ, what Peter calls God's people, know and are moved by the story of Jesus life, death and resurrection. For other's the message can be a stumbling block.

When I hear the story of Jesus I find in it the narrative of the way God has mercy on us, loves us and forgives us. It motivates me to strive harder to live as a person of the light. It is hard for me to understand how others can hear the same story and find it dull or pointless.

We who hear the story in faith praise God for God's wonderful deeds. Those who do not hear the story in faith laugh and stumble.

The writer of I Peter reminds us that the difference between Christians and non-Christians is not that we see different things but that we see the same things differently. Just like me at that awards banquet. I saw the same things as others did. What was meaningful for them had little meaning for me. They were in the know.

This means that we have to realize that we can't expect those who are not actively involved in the life of faith to understand where we are coming from. The things that move us and shape our lives do not necessarily have any meaning or even a frame of reference for them. So talking to them about our faith might not be very effective.

What does work is to meet them where they are. To invite them into a relationship with Christians and let God do the rest.

So invite them to help with service projects being done by the church. Support them when they are struggling, and answer their questions when they have them. Love them with a Christ like love so they can experience, just a little what it means to be "God's people."

These things will help them to open their hearts to the good news. And when they do then the stone which they earlier rejected can become for them the chief corner stone of their life of faith.

Loving God, we give thanks for all the ways you have blessed us. Help us to share that love and grace in meaningful ways with others. Help us to love those who do not love you as we do. We pray that they can also become your people and be filled with your mercy. AMEN

This devotional was written and read by Bill Green

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.