Lord, Let me be "a foolish thing" for you

I read this passage, early last week and the Lord convicted me of some things. He also opened my eyes to other things that I would like to share with you.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

People may think we are foolish for following Christ, but we know this is our Breath, our Life, and our Hope!


¹⁹ For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. ²⁰ Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ²¹ For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

THIS NEXT PASSAGE IS REALLY NEAT...

²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:²³ But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

The Jews thought that the Savior was going to come and defeat all their enemies (Rome.) The Savior did defeat their enemy, the devil, but their eyes were in the "here and now". So when Jesus died that was a HUGE stumbling block. They didn't understand how Jesus could win by dying. What they missed was that Jesus died so that we could live.

The Greeks on the other hand saw Jesus' death as foolishness. What good comes out of death? Our eternal salvation come out of death, that is what!

²⁴ But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The believers, however, saw the power of God and what his death and life did and does for us.

²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

So we may see a situation and it seems to us foolish, it even may seem like a stumbling block. "God, why did you do that? OR God, how could you take that person in the prime of life."  Many times we act like we know better then God, but, friends, God always knows best. Our wisdom is foolishness to Him and our strength is weakness to Him.

²⁶ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: ²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

So I must decide to follow God even when others see it as "foolishness." I must determine to be humble and weak so that God's might can fill me. I pray I am a foolish thing so that God can use my life to bring wisdom to others.

²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

I am a doer and I enjoy taking care of people, so I tend to hear a lot of "thank yous" for this or that.  Thus, if I am not careful,  my head can "swell". This passage reminded me of some important questions. Why am I doing things for people? Am I trying to show God's love or am I trying to attract people to me? Who is getting the glory? God or me? It needs to be GOD and GOD alone. I am BASE and if I do not have this attitude, God can not use me, because I will get the glory instead of him.  What's the point loving on people if it's not divine love from God?

 ²⁹ That no flesh should glory in his presence.³⁰ But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ³¹ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

It is in my foolishness and abasement that God can use me. If "I die daily" then the Lord can take that "nothingness" and make it into something for the day. I have to be careful to stay abased and humble and to serve without being noticed. "Lord, let others see me as a fool as long as I am a fool for you. May I stand BEHIND the Cross, so that others may glory in YOU" - rejoicing in the present.