Be no fool
Many years ago, I worked at a local printer. I was part of a small team whose job was to make the printing plates ready for the presses.
One morning I was the first to arrive and so had to turn on all the machines ready for the day ahead. We had a few radios in our department, which I flicked on as well.
The radio presenter was very animated that day as he announced that they were broadcasting in stereo – this was not the norm back in the 1980s!
He instructed that if you got two radios and placed one on the left, and tuned it two a certain frequency, then put the other on the right, and tuned to another frequency, you would get perfect stereo!
We had two radios, so I grabbed both of them and positioned them as explained. I then spent considerable time trying to tune them, with my head between the opposing speakers listening intently for the stereo broadcast.
However hard I tried, I could not get it to work, I was so frustrated. Later that day, the radio station announced that the stereo broadcast had been a prank, it was 1 April, I had been fooled!
Yesterday was April Fool’s Day, and ever since that radio incident, I am mindful of what I read, hear and watch on 1 April.
The book of Proverbs, in the Bible, has much to say about foolishness and wisdom. Here is one of its most famous quotations…
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
The fool is described as someone who thinks they know best. They really don’t like help or want to grow in knowledge, understanding and wisdom. It’s a bit like a stubborn child who refuses to listen to anyone.
However, the opposite of this, is someone who longs to learn, grow and become wise. This verse boldly states that the doorway to all this begins with ‘the fear of the Lord’.
This means to see and recognise who God is (his character, heart and nature) and respond in a humble way. It puts God first and me second.
From that contrite stance, God will open up and reveal His ways. In my experience, when I have humbled myself before God, He is gracious and kind to give me His perspective, wisdom and guidance.
Let me encourage you to do the same.
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader