FUN FOOLISH FAITH

It is VBS-eve, and all through the church, it is quiet.

I know it would be easier to ask for people to sign-up ahead of time. It might even commit them, if I asked them to pay a registration fee. But, philosophically, I believe that I should leave the invitation as wide as possible. As a result, I won't have any idea until tomorrow morning, if the 24 blank nametags I have made up will be enough. You might think I'm foolish doing it this way.

You're probably right. But at least it's consistent with my theme for this year's Vacation Bible School, our church's summer Learning Circle for children ages 4ish to 11ish: FUN FOOLISH FAITH. With so much of the ancient mysteries now explainable, with human knowledge now so vast that no one person can know all that is known, the concept of faith seems foolish in the modern age.

Although the mysteries are fewer, the big mysteries of existence still loom. And so I will echo the words of the Apostle Paul from the 2nd letter to the Corinthians (verses 16-21): I repeat, let no one think that I am a fool; but if you do, then accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the Lord’s authority, but as a fool; since many boast according to human standards, I will also boast. For you gladly put up with fools, being wise yourselves! For you put up with it when someone makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or gives you a slap in the face. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.

And so, if it is my destiny to be a fool, I'll be a Fool for Christ. At least it should be kind of fun.