No Fool

You are no fool.

A fool says in his heart, there is no God. There are many other things that a fool does (like knowing there’s danger ahead, and walking straight into it), but that one about God, that is the biggest foolery of them all. You, are no fool.

You know there is God. Wait, You know God is there. Like all of us do, right? God is there. Where He’s been since the beginning of time. For a while, He was here – despite the fact that He’s (as told by tellers) given human beings all of 70 years to live, He hang around for just under half of that. Did He get bored?... Nevertheless, He was here, then went back there. Where He still is.

From up there (of course it’s up), He can view the things and people He created with just about a passing interest. Surely, He can’t be bothered with how you dress, what you eat or even what you watch? He would, if He was here, but you know He’s there, see? You don’t need to consult Him about the things you do, or the paths you choose – He’s too far off for Him to bother. Besides, He gave you brains, AND left you here while He went back there.

You are no fool.

You would never say in your heart ‘there is no God’. That would be foolery. But you can determine where there is, and appropriately assign Him quarters in that general direction. The farther away, the better. That way, you can live life without anyone whispering in your ear about what God wants – He should be happy there, holding court with angels and floating on clouds.

Oh, and of course, Heaven is real. That’s why you go to church. It’s proof that God cares for where we go AFTER we’re dead. Surely no fool can believe that He really cares what goes on Monday to Saturday, right? His interest in your day-to-day life is limited to Sunday and eternity, right? Church attendance chalks up about 90% of the points you need to get you in, and if you’re nice to one or two people, you pile up the other 10%. It’s your life after all.

And you are no fool.

Really?

An Addendum:

God really is HERE. I know. He came and never left. He just has this thing going about not getting in unless He’s expressly invited. And if He’s not in with you (after being invited, of course), everything else is just detail. He is also THERE. There is that place we go to after we die; right before we’re assigned eternal quarters. The more religious among us call it Judgment Day. It just makes a lot of sense to me to have the judge on your side at times like those. Give thought to it this Christmas. He’s waiting for you to call Him.

Musings of a Believer

How can a young man keep his ways pure?, asked David in exasperation. I can see him now...he loves God, and he's always been true to Him, the God of his fathers. But yesterday, there was this girl at the well. Oh, nothing untoward happened, not yet anyway. But he felt something move on the inside of him, drawing him towards those lines he knows he must not cross. Aaargh, this can be so hard sometimes. It's funny because just yesterday, he was talking to some friends about this very thing. You're young, they kept saying. You have to enjoy your life, you know? These are small things that Jehovah cares not about - He understands. It's not like you'll make her pregnant or anything. But David knows, he knows that that path is a downhill slide. He knows that the way of darkness has a dim light at the door, and many have gotten lost thinking they were still in the light, even as the darkness swallowed them. And he remembers how on that day his ancestors met God at the mountain, He told them to stay far away from the boundary...It's getting dark, the tryst, and his friends, are waiting. Then David remembers one more thing - he's the chosen one. Surely, the promise is far greater than any temporary satiation. He opens his journal and writes the answer...by heeding Your Word, O LORD, and following its commands...

Timothy was getting a headache. This wasn't supposed to take this long. Can't these guys see I'm only a kid? Cut me some slack man! He smiles wryly...in a way, he got himself into this mess. See, the thing is, he wasn't willing to let them have their way. They have such warped ideas of God that Timothy could not stand just keeping quiet. He jumped in with two feet, waving Scripture and quoting Paul...oh, Paul, where was he when he's needed?...at first they had half-listened to him. Then they started advancing thoughts and philosophies, and they did seem to be making quite a bit of sense. Think of this Jesus as a great teacher, they said. And if indeed you believe in this salvation, why can't you just live as you please? Doesn't your God want you to be happy? Did he not create entertainment? Be merry, let yourself go. Don't waste your youth! Oh, if only..Timothy thought. Then he heard someone calling him. You have a letter, they said. It was Paul. The last words in the letter caught his eye.."Timothy, guard what God has entrusted you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so called knowledge. Some people have wondered from the faith by following such foolishness."...he smiled, and walked away from the debaters smiling. He had better things to do, like pray.