The Rise Of The Foolish

Every society has its defining principals. The “Protestant Work Ethic”, has played a significant role in western societies, especially Canada and the U.S.. We have a been raised on the idea that, by working hard and being determined, we can be successful. It is not to imply that this only applies to protestants, but rather that this was a motivating principal of early immigrants to North America and their descendants. It is this very idea that undermines our ability to receive from God. Everyone claims that they want to go to heaven, and that they want to change. But they attempt to attain these goals by the rules and principals of this world. The rules of this world say, “that we have to work hard to get ahead, to be successful”. But in God’s Kingdom everything works by His free gift.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is for this reason that rich and successful people have a difficult time entering God’s Kingdom. They have become successful through their own efforts and that has become their M.O. ( method of operation ) The Kingdoms of this world are gradually winding to a close, to be replaced by the Kingdom of God. God’s Kingdom is a kingdom delivered to the weak, the poor and the foolish as a free gift. The rise of the foolish is part of the new governing principals of the kingdom to come. The rise of the foolish and the end of self reliance. God’s blessing, and approval will be demonstrated in the lives of those who can’t earn them and don’t deserve them but who have received them as a God’s free gift.  Foolish by this world’s standard but blessed by God’s standard. Will you receive God’s gift, an entrance into His eternal Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 1:27  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;
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:
29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

AH… the meaning of life!

As I reconnect with old friends from my past, I find it interesting to observe how we have and haven’t changed. Do those who once commanded awe and admiration still hold us in their spell. Has the basketball star become fat and bald?  Are the rich and famous still rich and famous?  It makes me wonder what motivated me to decide what was and wasn’t important to me. 

 For some, it would seem, started out well and never recovered.  And others are still searching to find out what it is that defines success and failure.  Some are driven by an increasingly unattainable objective of money, fame, or personal achievement.  And if we are going to spend our lives on these things, the question becomes,” who is keeping score?”.   If it is to be left to those who come after us, it is small consolation, we will be gone.  If it is based on who has the most stuff, there can only be one winner, and then he or she is gone.

  To spend our whole life on the pursuit of some poorly defined objective, and then not to be able to enjoy it in the end seems foolish to me. And yet everything we do in our life is defined, to some degree, by that objective.  It would be maddening if it were not for the fact that there is a much simpler, clearer, more defined objective. 

 We were created for His pleasure.  We were created to please God.  The issue then is not about whether I was a garbage collector, teacher, or soldier.  It’s not about whether I made more money or had more possessions then the guy down the street.  It’s not even about whether I put work before family and friends, or family and friends before work.  It is about trusting Him as He leads me. Trusting that He knows better than I.  That is the meaning of life.

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.