September 20, 2019

Rerun from Daily Devotional July 18, 2018

A friend in our congregation was having difficulty in her marriage so I gave her the name of a very effective counselor and prayed the session went well.

A few days ago, (and I share this with her permission), she let me know how the session had gone. She said she realized what she thought she was effectively communicating had not even been on her husband’s radar. It had never registered. That’s when I decided to tell her the truth because she needed a better view of reality.

I used my years of education and observation to tell her in theological terms what she intuitively already knew but didn’t want to admit. All men are idiots. I am qualified to say this because I am one. Men are idiots. It’s even biblical.

Adam was an idiot. Cain was an idiot. Abraham, at times, was an idiot. Joseph’s brothers were idiots. The Israelites were idiots wandering the desert for forty years. Even Jesus’ disciples were idiots.

Why do you think that after the resurrection, the first people Jesus appeared to were the women? That’s because the women were supposed to plant the idea of the resurrection in the disciple’s heads so that they could actually believe it. Why? – Because men are idiots.

The good news is that even though we are idiots, God never gives up on us. That’s because God operates out of grace.

When Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son, he is telling the story of a monumental idiot.

A son hurts and betrays his father in every way possible and then skips town for a life of debauchery. But when his money runs out, so do his friends. Alone in a foreign land, the son’s is forced to feed pigs, which in Jewish society was the lowest of the low. But upon realizing how well his father’s servants are treated, the son decides to go home and throw himself on his father’s mercy. Maybe his father will take him on as a servant?

As the son walks home, Jesus says, “But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) Then he throws a big party welcoming his idiot son home.

This picture of God’s unending, uncompromising love shows God’s love for us and also how we are to love each other. This is what Peter meant when he said, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

So if you ever look at yourself, either male or female, and say, “I’m an idiot,” know that God still loves you and wants to guide every aspect of your life. Because no matter what idiotic thing you have done, God will not give up on you. That shows how wonderful our God is.

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, there are many times when I am completely self-consumed and act like an idiot. Please forgive me. Guide me onto your narrow path and allow me to live the life you have chosen for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Today, try not to be an idiot. Put God first. Everything else will fall into place.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins