Foolishness Embraced

What if today took on a whole new meaning for us? What if April Fools’ Day started to mean something more? What if it were not merely about pranks, practical jokes, and the like? What if it instead served as a reminder to us all of a hope that is greater? Let me explain…

There is much uncertainty as to where this informal holiday of hoaxing came from. Some blame the Romans, some trace it back to the Middle Ages, and others make up stories that must simply be, well, an “April Fools!!” Whether you prefer the All Fools’ Day title or use the phrase “April fish” instead of “April fools”, the point is the same. This day is traditionally about trickery and jesting. Not exactly a lot of redemptive meaning and depth to be found in that, right?

Interestingly, I think we may have discovered a way to make today about something more…about something bigger, more encouraging, more edifying. Check out 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one can boast in His presence. 30 But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.

In this passage Paul is reminding us of this: before Christ, before His calling and transformative work in our lives, there was really nothing special about us. Okay, at least it accurately describes me. Not powerful, check. Not noble, check. Weak and foolish, BINGO!! Insignificant, despised, viewed as nothing, yep, yep, yep.

However, God has seen fit to use simple, base, fools like you and me so that the world can accurately see that He is the One worthy of credit and acclaim – NOT us. The glory is all His. So whenever something we’re connected with succeeds and prevails, people are forced to boast in Christ. For on our own, we’re a mess. We’re prone to fear and mistakes and blunders of all sorts. Folks will take note of our inability to produce life change, and they’ll say, “Look at how good God is! No way that had a chance without Him! Truly He is at work in His people…”

So what if we start to look at this day with new eyes and a fresh focus? On the heels of Easter Sunday, we begin living out the faith we profess. Today we remember that there are no excuses. Feel unworthy, unprepared, unknowledgeable? Great! That means you meet all the requirements! On this Fools’ Day, we will bask in the foolishness that was found and called by a risen Savior. Today we acknowledge who we are without Christ and trust Him all the more deeply to utilize us in bringing Him glory!

Remember friends, we are instruments of righteousness in His hands (Romans 6:13), qualified by His grace (Colossians 1:12). Be careful not to place limitations on our all-powerful Creator. For He is faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) and good (Psalm 119:68) and to speak of anything contrary to such truth...well, that’s just foolish talk!