I had the privilege of speaking to Campus Crusade at UNCW last night. This was an awesome opportunity.
I spoke on one of the major themes of my life: Love God. Be an Idiot!
I’ve always been good at being an idiot. It just comes natural to me.
- building tree forts with fireplaces.
- ziplines with multiple ropes tied together.
- letting my brother shoot at me on a 4wheeler with a bb gun.
- getting an 800 on my SAT’s.
- giving up a sure thing in business to chase Jesus.
I used think being an idiot was a bad thing. Like I was in unusable or second rate or something. That is until I took a look at the people God seemed to call on the most. Its like pedigree of idiots.
I’ve found my home among guys like Moses the stutterer, Gideon the wuss, Noah the naked drunk guy…the list goes on.
I focused in on Acts 3 & 4 where Peter and John healed the lame man on their way to the 3 o’clock prayer service. Sure enough this scandalous act gets them a front row seat before the city council where they are questioned about what just happened.
After many questions the counsel turns them loose and makes this conclusion about them: these are ordinary men with no special training in the scriptures, however, we recognize them as men who have been with Jesus.
The actual Greek word for “ordinary” is the word “idiotos.” Peter and John were ordinary idiots! This gives me hope. You don’t have to be bright just be with Jesus. He makes the difference?
Why do you think God uses idiots?
Jeff;
I love reading your blog. I appreciate your honesty, and your reflections on our incredible loving God.
Acts 3-4 is one of my favorite stories of the Bible, and it keeps me, another 800 SAT scorer, encouraged and motivated to follow Jesus. Also, it keeps me humble I guess, since I know and realize by all the dumb things I do that it is not about me.
Dave
Hig School drop-out here (overcame to get a degree). Thought my father was the dumbest man that ever laced up wingtips. He had an eighth grade education, but was absolutely one of the smartest and wisest men I ever knew and many people knew him just for those characteristics. More than anything else he was known as a man of God. When I die, I hope that people might say about me, “He wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he sure walked with the Lord.” Thanks, Pastor for the reminder.