Foolishness
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left. Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.
Ecclesiastes 10:2–3
A man walked into a small village shop, put a £20 note on the counter and asked for change. When the clerk opened the till drawer, the man pulled out a gun and asked for all the money in the money till/register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the money from the clerk and fled, leaving the £20 bill on the counter. The total amount of money he got from the till drawer? Fifteen pounds.
We can all act foolishly at times, even if, unlike this thief, we are trying to do the right thing. The key is how we learn from our foolish behaviour. Without correction, our poor choices can become habits, which will negatively shape our character, and life. We will become “fools . . . (who) lack sense” (Ecc 10:3).
Sometimes it is hard to admit our foolishness because of the extra work it requires. Perhaps we need to reflect on a particular character flaw, and that’s painful. Or maybe we need to admit that a decision was made hastily and next time we should take more care. Whatever the reason, it never pays to ignore our foolish ways.
Thankfully, God can use our foolishness to discipline and shape us. Discipline is not “pleasant at the time,” but its training brings about good fruit in the end (Hebrews 12:11). Let us accept our Father’s discipline for our foolish behaviour and ask Him to make us more like the sons and daughters He intends us to be.
Read
Ecclesiastes 10:1–14.
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for using my foolishness to train me. May I accept Your discipline graciously as You continue to work in me. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.
Amen