I am either completely trusting, completely naïve, or completely irresponsible. Several months ago I registered, paid, and planned to attend a
Renovare conference in Houston and hoped to spend a few extra days in the area. I had not yet made hotel plans, and then Hurricane Ike hit the region. There was some speculation whether the event would still take place but slowly the area started clearing and the church gained power six days before the event was to start. I kept finding all kinds of reasons why I shouldn’t go to the event and even tried to find someone else who could go in my place. In the end I formulated a compromise to attend one day instead of two. My mind wasn’t completely sold until I woke up at 3am and decided that was as good a reason to go as any. Before I left, we still did not have a computer, so I left without printing a map, but I knew to go south on I-45, was 90% sure of the address, and knew there was an exit for the street from the interstate, I just didn’t know whether to turn left or right. At least I know enough to have a charger for my cell phone that plugs into the car! I drove while most of the countryside was putting off getting out of bed, and I was bidding my time until family or friends were awake and could give me directions via the Internet. As it turns out it took three tries before I found someone that could help, and after she looked at the hybrid map questioned the address, which was wrong, of course. She was able to correct my course and stayed on the phone naming streets before I even reached them. She was able to get me to the driveway without a hitch and as soon as I found parking an attendant whisked me to the front doors on a golf cart. As I sat down the music stopped and the first speaker stepped up to the podium. Perfect! Before we said goodbye that morning, my friend asked how I was going to find my way back to the interstate at the end of the day. I told her it would be simple. I would just back track of course! And of course I didn’t, but instead followed the line of cars that obviously knew something I didn’t, and in a shorter time, was at the interstate. I am either completely trusting, completely naïve, or completely irresponsible.
The Lord is kind and does what is right; our God is merciful.
The Lord watches over the foolish; when I was helpless, he saved me.
Psalm 116:5-6
My prayer for the congregation?Merciful God, You watch over the wise and the foolish, the young and the old, the strong and the weak. All are valuable in your sight. It’s hard to be reckless when we value astuteness, but for your cause, let us experience the vulnerability to be foolish. Let us set aside what is reasonable, sensible, and prudent to follow the path of Jesus, spending time with those who cannot benefit us, washing the feet of those who serve us, and living the laws of the commandments rather than arguing its intent. If You use the lowly and the foolish to demonstrate your transforming grace, You can use us! Amen.
Where is the wise person? Where is the educated person? Where are the great thinkers of this world? Hasn't God made the wisdom of the world foolish? God wisely planned that the world would not know him through its own wisdom. It pleased God to use the foolish things we preach to save those who believe. Because of what God has done, you belong to Christ Jesus. He has become God's wisdom for us. He makes us right with God. He makes us holy and sets us free.
Romans 1:20-21,30
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