Thought for Momday, July 16th

July 16, 2012

Who’s Fooling Who

The other day a junior high student I was speaking with declared himself to be the official class clown at his school.  Now for an eleven year old that is probably not too shocking, but have you ever known adults who seemed to be the personification of a class clown when it comes to dealing with life?

And I sometimes wonder when it comes to spiritual matters how many of us seem like class clown to our Heavenly Father?

But there is a difference between a class clown and a fool, isn’t there?

A class clown knows he is acting silly or foolish or probably from his or her perspective in a humorous manner.  There are many reasons for this type of behavior from attention seeking to hiding pain but what about the behaviors of a fool, what prompts those behaviors and why would someone choose to be a fool?

Now you may not see the difference in the acts of a fool or the acts of a class clown, but I think there are some defining differences, even if they are subtle.

First, I think the clownish or humorist person knows what they are doing and it is purposeful: while I am not so certain that the fool can make that distinction.

A fool seems to lack wisdom and understanding while a humoristic person is usually quite witty and often rather bright.

So then that makes me wonder in a world there most people have at least a moderate amount of intellect and at least a smidgen of wisdom is there really such a thing as a fool in our modern culture?

Let’s see what scripture has to say about fools.

“A fool can no more see his own folly than he can see his ears.”

-       William Thackeray

  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs  26:1-12

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.  A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Proverbs 12:14-16

To answer the above question from a spiritual perspective, I guess I would have to say the only person in danger of really being considered to be a fool would be a person who rejects God, God’s gifts and God’s will, plan and purpose.

May none of us ever find ourselves to be counted among that number.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you’re beyond wise; posses all intellect and have all insight; so on some level we must all at times seem somewhat comical to you in our humanity and pettiness; yet you love us and I suspect you even enjoy some of our antics and idiosyncrasies: yet help us not to go beyond the place where we are merely somewhat silly or even comedic to the realm of becoming foolish and unwise.  May we stay close to you and always heed your voice and respond to your directives, so that your will can be accomplished in our lives.

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus “

-  Lyrics from ‘Heart of Worship’ by Matt Redman