“The other day was the first day of April,” I said. “Did anyone try to pull a prank on you?”
“There were a couple of children in the neighborhood who tried,” Stan replied. “I played along with them so they wouldn’t be disappointed when they yelled ‘April fools!’.”
“Do you know why it is called April Fools’ Day?”
“Well,” Stan replied, “while I think I am probably an expert on being a fool, I’m not exactly sure why the first day of April is called that.”
“However,” he continued, “I have always thought it has something to do with with the change in the calendar, when it was changed from celebrating the new year somewhere around the first of April to the first of January. That happened a long time ago. Those who continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on the first of April were called ‘fools’.”
“I have no idea about that,” I replied, “but that sounds good to me.”
“I’m not sure it’s correct,” Stan said, “but one thing I do know is correct is that, for way too long, I was a fool in refusing to acknowledge God for who He is, the Lord God Almighty.”
“And,” he continued, “it was only through the grace of God that I overcame the foolishness of not accepting the finished work of Christ on the cross that gives me the assurance of spending eternity with God when it is time.”
“Furthermore,” Stan added, “way too often I remain foolish in not pursuing the opportunity to know God the Father and His Son on this side of eternity. Lots of foolishness. More than enough to go around!”
“Doesn’t it say somewhere in the Bible something about foolish people mocking sin?”
“You’re right, my friend,” Stan replied. “Proverbs 14:9. Many people fall into the category it describes as fools. Thankfully, I am no longer included there. Sin is serious business. God is not to be mocked, and neither is sin.”
Concluding, Stan said, “Let’s leave foolishness to fools.”
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The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.
Fools mock at sin. Proverbs 14:9.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he shall also reap. Galatians 6:7.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for bringing me out of the foolishness of wanting to live apart from you. Thank you for the truth of salvation through the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross, and for your grace in making that truth known to me, again overcoming foolish rejection of your provision. I confess that too often I choose to be foolish in not being who and doing what you intend for every aspect of my being on this side of eternity. Please forgive me. And please, Father, help me in following your lead away from all foolishness that keeps me from you and all you have for me. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Things to think (and journal) about:
1. What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 