for the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [1 corinthians 1:18]
in 2 corinthians 5:13, paul was being accused of being crazy, – a radical if you will. in his thoughts and actions for Jesus, many had accused him of being “out of his mind.”
i have been accused of being crazy, but rarely for Jesus.
when was the last time you were accused of being out of your mind for Christ?
truth is, our thoughts and actions compared to the world’s … should be seen as a little (or lot) crazy. if any ounce of Jesus’ thoughts and actions come out of us, people who don’t know Jesus, should think – that’s a little (or lot) crazy.
none of us long to be seen as crazy, but we do have a desire in us to think and act like Jesus. maybe today, you and i need to be reminded that when we think and act like Jesus, to many this will seem “crazy” or foolish. we all need to be reminded often, just how radical God’s love is for us. we all need to be shown often, just how crazy his thoughts and actions toward us are.
today, let’s ask the presence of the Holy Spirit to remind us, to show us, – just how crazy, just how foolish, just how much “folly” is in the cross for those like you and me “who are being saved” in its power.
pray. spend a few minutes asking God to show you all the “folly” in the cross and all the crazy in his love. take a pen and write it down. write out all the ways God’s love thru the cross is foolish to the world. take your time. write it down. and, then spend some time in his presence rejoicing, thanking, praising the one who has gone to crazy lengths to love a rebel like you and me!
LORD, your love is beyond my mind and truly beyond the mind of this world. today, as you reveal your ways, your thoughts, and your actions toward me, may i be moved and stunned by just how crazy it is that you, holy majestic GOD would love me, broken lowly me. what a thing! what a God! may my lips declare your praise today! in Jesus name, amen!
~ john ryan