Looking Foolish

On Sunday, we talked about how it is often the seemingly foolish things that God uses to confound the wisdom of this world. In fact, one could argue that God uses people most powerfully when they are willing to look foolish. Consider Noah as he built the ark or David as he faced Goliath with only a slingshot and some stones. What about professional fisherman Peter when he stepped out of a perfectly good boat to walk on water. Don't tell me that these men didn't feel at least a bit foolish for their radical obedience.

Here's the question: Are you and I willing to look foolish for the cause of Christ? What is it that often causes us to hesitate in being radically obedient to God? How does the Holy Spirit in our lives help us to look foolish for God?

Taking Risks

There are two categories of regrets. Regrets of action - regret for things that we have done and regrets of inaction - regret for things we could have or should have done. Regrets of action leave a bad taste in our mouths. Regrets of inaction leave a bitter taste that lasts forever. We are forever left with the nagging question, "What if?"

Which of these categories - regret of actions and regret of inaction - do you think will be the one that at the end of your life will haunt you the worst? What can we do to minimize the possibility of regret of inaction?

Embracing Uncertainty

As I said on Sunday, I'm no movie director but it seems to me that the greatest Hollywood films have at least one thing in common: romantic or dramatic uncertainty. Cases in point for dramatic uncertainty - Gladiator. Case in point for romantic uncertainty - Sleepless in Seattle. I would suggest that learning to embrace uncertainty in our lives is a key component to our success in chasing lions. It is the spiritual certainties in our lives - the forgiveness of sins, our position in Christ - that allow us to deal with the circumstantial uncertainties in our lives. How have you seen this truth played out in your life? How do you best deal with circumstantial uncertainties? How do those uncertainties affect your spiritual journey?