FOOL!

How does it feel to be branded a fool?

According to the dictionary, a fool is a person who acts unwisely or impudently.  A fool is a stupid person, a dim-wit, an insane, and a host of other names that simply means, unwanted, not to be taken seriously, not to be trusted, a person whose opinion doesn’t count.

Hurting, right?  The title conjures up images of people interned in mental institutions, deranged, unable to behave properly, or think clearly. As such, they become pariahs- social outcasts- rejected like scum,   left hopeless, and sometimes, forgotten.

 More authoritative than anything else, the Bible has something to say about a fool.

FOOLS despise wisdom and instruction. PROVERBS 1:7
To do evil is LIKE SPORT to a FOOL.  PROVERBS 10:23
The way of a FOOL is right in his own eyes. PROVERBS 12:15
FOOLS mock ( make fun of ) at sin. PROVERBS 14: 9

Another kind of fool is found in Luke 12: 19-21. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”
20 But God said to him, “You FOOL! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
21 This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.

Wealth and riches aren’t wrong. But if they become our priorities so much so that they stand between God and our relationship with Him, then Luke says, we are FOOLS.

PSALM 53:1 hits another mark when it says, The FOOL has said in his heart, “THERE IS NO GOD.”

God’s Word, not mine, leaves no room for confusion. No matter how intelligent you are, or how many college degrees you have- it doesn’t make any difference- if you don’t believe in God’s existence, YOU ARE STILL A FOOL!

From the above verses, one can surmise that FOOLS are not only found confined in mental asylums. Based on God’s Word, FOOLS could roam the streets, populate educational institutions, inhabit many homes, dwell in kingdoms, rule countries, occupy high government positions, put up residence either in slums or in plush villages, drive a Mercedez or a dilapidated trike, and, surprising but true, could stand behind pulpits.

When I gave up my job and a promotion to boot in the Bureau of Internal Revenue in favour of a pioneering church ministry in Lucena City, my colleagues, my friends, and some of my relations labelled me a FOOL and my decision, the work of a person out of her mind. “Are you a FOOL?” they would ask me in derision. I never did blame them for their reactions. For what kind of a person would quit a high paying job and a promotion in exchange for a work that promised neither visible comfort, nor abundance? Only a FOOL would do so.

As I contemplated over my personal decision, Paul’s word in 1 CORINTHIANS 4:9-10 lifted up my sagging spirit: …for we are made a spectacle to the world…we are FOOLS for Christ’s sake.

Yes, I was, and STILL AM a FOOL for Christ’s sake…for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom and of the Gospel.

 I am a FOOL and I don’t deny it. I have no regrets.

Are you a FOOL?

Which FOOL are you?