Wisdom or foolishness?
by Pastor Peter Bean
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‘Even the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength’ (1 Corinthians 1:25).
As I have grown older, I like to think I have become wiser; however, my wisdom is still pretty scant. At times, I think my ideas, my ways, and my truths are more important or better than others. It only takes one small incident to help me realise that it wasn’t such a good choice after all. And so, I get to the point where I recognise that my wisdom isn’t so smart after all and can be downright foolishness.
God’s foolishness is of a different kind. God’s foolishness is only foolish because we think it is. We think our wisdom is better, our ways are higher, and our thoughts are smarter – until they’re not! I know I wouldn’t do things the way God does, and God certainly doesn’t act in ways that I can always make sense of. Yet, I feel reassured by this paradoxical situation. You see, if my ways were best, if my thoughts were perfect, if my wisdom was absolute, I would be God. While I would never use that term, and I am sure you wouldn’t either, the reality is when my wisdom takes precedence over God’s, I am putting myself in place of God. Either God is God, or I am!
That’s why this verse is music to my ears. No matter how valuable my wisdom, God’s foolishness is so much more. No matter how unhelpful my wisdom (even when I think it is valuable), God is stronger than my weakness. Who in their right (human) mind would promote the way of the cross, sacrifice, turning your cheek, and laying down your life? Fortunately, the wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, does just that. And he not only promotes these things but puts them into practice. So, we can share in this wisdom, this life, and this light.
Thank you, God, for your wisdom and your foolishness. Thank you for the gift of Christ and for life itself. May we live in your wisdom and strength. Amen.
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