April Fool’s Day
“But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. The foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:24-25 New Living Translation
Are you wearing the label …?
If you are a follower of Christ .. one of those Jesus people .. a less of me and More of Him kind of man or woman … this is your day! God’s foolish plan is on display in your life. Yeah .. He chose you with all your quirks .. peculiar habits .. and born-in prejudices. Still .. God smiles because you are the perfect choice to show the world you live in what the power of Christ looks like in a civilized “misfit” . You could be labeled weak .. needy .. or simple-minded in believing in God’s foolishness and trusting in His atoning weakness. You probably won’t be called a Fool for trusting Christ today .. but who knows what they really say when you aren’t around? Secretly .. there is probably someone around your life “wishing” (praying) that they could find the strength to be such a fool. Who would ever think that God would actually want to get His hands dirty with your messes .. fears .. failures .. struggles .. and embarrassing temptations? Don’t forget .. you are a follower of the Nazarene Fool named Jesus. And those unseen things you are carrying around like weights strapped to your heart? The Holy Fool is more than willing to lighten your heart .. loosen the load .. and relieve the world’s wisest formulas for living life on your terms. What will “they” say when they see you wearing this Galilean-sandeled Fool’s label today? Who cares! What is God’s Message in an ever-increasing world of self advancement and self-adulation? His foolish message involves some nails .. an empty grave .. life-changing grace .. and your life. You don’t have to draw attention to yourself. God’s wisdom and weakness are on display in you: Christ’s power .. the love of God .. and God’s foolish plan called The Gospel are exactly what the world is dying to see. And it just so happens that God wants them to see it through your life! Foolish? … Only forever!! And if you’ve tried to hide it or add something to His plan … well .. all it takes is a moment for you to let the April Fool restore His original design in you …
“It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We’re something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. We’re the Messiah’s misfits …” 1 Corinthians 4:9-10 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to Foolish Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
