Foolishness

I Corinthians 1:18-20
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? …………

I Corinthians 1:25, 27,29
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength………..
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………
So that no one may boast before him…..

What influences me in our world today - or you – what are we quick to listen to, or believe in this new year of 2025? Are you like me and become swayed by someone who has a gift to persuade? Or maybe the pressure of a political power and idea wins you over to vote a certain way? One other thing that makes us think certain ways may be our personality. I realized once when I took a personality test, I was strong on the people pleasing side of things. I love having fun, I enjoy everyone and making people happy. It is a gift from God like all our personal ways God has made us to be. The gift is to be used to bring God glory and herein lies the problem at times since we, as God’s children, can stray or misuse his precious gifts.

These thoughts of how we are weak or foolish in life can make us think of Solomon’s writing in
Ecclesiastes 1:1-4
Where he states: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
Ecclesiastes 1:11
No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.

This is rather depressing don’t you think?? So what should we set our hope in when so often the things of life let us down or make us feel hopeless or even foolish?

Psalm 29 gives us more to think about. Instead of looking to mankind we should remember who is in charge, really. Verse one starts with: Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
This psalm goes on to show us the voice of the Lord controls and is in charge of everything –water, land, vegetation, animals, weather and he is enthroned above everything. It ends with the fact the Lord gives strength and blesses his people with peace.

Back to the question of what will influence me or you the most in 2025? I desire to have the Word of God be my greatest authority for life direction. It takes determination at times to make this happen. (Practice hitting that ball A LOT as pastor Lambert so beautifully demonstrated Sunday in his sermon!) We must focus on what really is foolish and what is wise. As I look back on 2024, I have to confess I made some very foolish choices! I wish I could say I ran from evil and was not enticed by it, but I can’t. I wish I could say every time God warned me to watch out, I listened, but again I can’t (sadly). I wish I could say the older I get the better I resist or overcome sin in my life, not good at that either!

A lot of foolish ways even when we appear holy on the outside! But thanks be to God that I do believe very strongly in the thing the world considers foolish – the wonderful saving power of the cross that washes away all my foolishness! I hope in 2025 we together claim that amazing rescue from our foolishness! Let’s practice hitting God’s ball of His Word and His Ways enough in our lives! Never walking alone but in the power of His amazing grace! Can I hear an Amen?