Weather report from heaven: Sunny and bright with an abundance of light, and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”-1 Corinthians 1:27
Insight: Sometimes we must be willing to look foolish in the world’s eyes in order to accomplish great things for the Lord. God has always used seemingly foolish things to shock the world. Better yet, he asks for our deep faith and belief and then uses our own foolishness to glorify Himself. The Bible is full of stories and events that the world looked at as utterly ridiculous. The circumstances were so unreal that they seemed ludicrous. Sarah buying maternity clothes at age 90? Noah building an Arc and preparing for a flood in the middle of a Desert? David running to the battlefield to fight a giant with a slingshot. The Israelites marching around Jericho blaring trumpets? Peter stepping out of the boat in the middle of a lake to walk on water. The response to all of these situations by bystanders at the time must have been, are you kidding me? You are totally insane. I could see Sarah standing in line at the Old Testament version of Mommies R Us and the looks she must have gotten. Tell me the Lord doesn’t have a wicked sense of humor.
Well, here we are some 2,000 years later from the time of Christ’s last breath on this earth, and not much has changed. People who are striving to follow Christ still seem foolish in the world’s eyes. Maybe more so than ever. Trying to live a life that doesn’t revolve around the kingdom of self is quite foolish in today’s world of instant gratification and self-promotion. The battle of flesh vs. spirit is being waged at a feverish pitch in this world, and I think it is safe to say that flesh has an insurmountable lead at the moment. I can hardly go a day when I don’t feel the overwhelming temptation to give in to my fleshly desires. But when I try to espouse my feelings on why I believe it is better for me to at least attempt to stand strong in the spirit, I look foolish in this world’s eyes. I guess I have come to realize that I would rather be disliked for who I am in Christ, than liked for who I am not. That doesn’t make it any easier. It still hurts. At our core, humans have a need for acceptance and approval. But in my quest for joy in this world, looking foolish for the Lord is as close as I can come to finding true meaning and purpose. May I be increasingly eager to take risks for the Lord, and to look foolish in the world’s eyes, for that is where I am most connected to my living God!
Prayer: Father God, if being willing to look foolish in the world’s eyes is what it takes in order to do great things in your name, then give me the courage and the strength to be the biggest fool. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Join me on an exciting new platform Foundations of Freedom below!
https://www.foundationsoffreedom.com/freedom-gateway-promotion/38264-8ac1b-841ab-7464b-4c585-3573c
0 Comments