My Mom, recently diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, spent much time praying and contemplating her medical choices. When we met the oncologist on Monday, she told the doctor that she was going to forego standard medical treatment at this time. The young physician’s eyes widened in disbelief. It was obvious she thought Mom’s choice to be foolish! Naturally thinking, perhaps it is. However, it was not a decision made in fear, nor is she ignoring the possible consequence of an earlier death, nor is she suicidal! She is wisely able to deal with mortality and firmly has her final hope already fixed in heaven. Mom went to a higher Counselor and gained His insight, which sees beyond tomorrow. Should every disciple make the choice she made? Not at all! My point is that she is doing what many think to be irrational because she is centered in faith in the eternal.
When we put ourselves in the care of the Heavenly Father, set our hope on the Resurrection Life promised through Christ Jesus, and make our treasure the things of the Spirit- we will do some really ‘foolish’ things. We will offer forgiveness when hatred makes the most sense. We will live and work in a place where we can do the Lord’s work, rather than where we can make the most money. We will work on true beauty of character rather than trying so hard to be physically attractive. We will seek purity and holiness instead of indulging every sensual appetite. And, we will have to accept the scorn that will inevitably be heaped on us.
I heard a radio personality discussing moral standards and he laughed dismissively at those who still held to the ‘archaic, prudish, and ignorant’ ideals of life-long monogamy. He went on to tell how there were just so many opportunities to explore relationships with others in this mobile world that people just had to accept that either one’s spouse would have to tolerate some philandering on the side, or the new norm would be several marriages in a lifetime. After all, he insisted, who could expect a anyone to be satisfied by the same person for 50 years? His comments were met with applause. Sorry, Dr., but I will subjugate the temptations that are natural to my human nature to the will of God and be guided by the will of God so that not only can I know the joy of a deep and intimate relationship with my wife, but also please my God. I am sure he would call me naïve and a fool!
"We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ!" (1 Corinthians 4:10, NIV) So, Paul sarcastically addresses the ‘worldly wise’ Christians in the church of Corinth. His words echo to us today who are confronted with the same label if we choose a live that is centered on God and His will. Are you ready to be dismissed as a ‘fool’ because you radically trust and serve Jesus Christ?
Here’s a word from the Word for your thoughts today. I pray that the Spirit will use it to pierce our pretensions, to guide us to true wisdom.
"Don’t fool yourself. Don’t think that you can be wise merely by being up-to-date with the times. Be God’s fool—that’s the path to true wisdom. What the world calls smart, God calls stupid. It’s written in Scripture, He exposes the chicanery of the chic. The Master sees through the smoke screens of the know-it-alls. … you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God.
Don’t imagine us leaders to be something we aren’t. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God’s most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless." (1 Corinthians 3:18-4:3, The Message)
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Now walk with God
And He will be
your dearest Friend
Where'er you go
In everything you do.
And may your life
Reflect His love to ev'ryone.
Now walk with God
And He will walk with you.
Now Walk With God
Skillings, Otis
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