The Foolishness of the Message Preached?

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is what Paul had to say about the message of the cross: “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB). He went on to say this: “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (vs.21).
As some of you might know, I am having a great time making people aware of what I believe is the finest health drink around—Zoe Life. It comes packed with the nutrients of some 20 fruits and vegetables, and loaded with antioxidants. There can be no denying the fact that very few, as in very few, of us eat the amounts of fruits and vegetables our bodies require, nor do we even come close to meeting our body’s requirement for antioxidants. One serving per day of Zoe Life can turn that around and make a remarkable difference in one’s life.
Yes, I know that sounds like a sales pitch, but it was not (reread it!), and, yes, I know this is April Fool’s Day, but I am not fooling! Zoe Life is going to prove to be much better than I have described it; however, it will be ONLY for those who drink at least one serving per day. The rest will see it as, well, as foolishness. I would love to be able to change that but I cannot; all I can do is to continue to “preach the foolish message” of Zoe Life. But, there is more!
As a distributor of Zoe Life, I also have the opportunity to earn no small amount of money. Notice that I said the “opportunity to earn” no small amount of money! In spite of popular opinion, money does motivate Christians, even those who declare that it does not. The problem comes when we learn that the money must be earned. When that part of the equation is revealed, the motivation vanishes into thin air! In our society, the notion of having to earn one’s living is as foolish and offensive to the needy (which is oftentimes why they are), as the message of the cross is to the lost.
The other day, I was talking with a young man, whom I have known for several years, and who is more needy than even he realizes. His life is, shall I say falling apart, from the inside out; in fact, I think it is safe to say that it is already in shambles. Interestingly, He came to my door to deliver a shipment of Zoe Life. What a set up! Without getting involved with too many details, let me simply tell you that I told him, that if he would follow my lead, I could offer him an opportunity to help himself—physically, financially, and spiritually. I looked at the package and said to him, “The key is inside this package.” His response was classic! “Oh, are you talking about Zoegetics? I have already heard about that and I don’t have time for it.” I said, “That’s fine; however, before you leave, I do have one question: How many packages from Zoegetics are you delivering on your route?” His answer was astonishing: “It has increased just one of my routes by 60 stops!”
As he ran across my yard to the delivery truck (12 hours per day at minimum wage and no benefits), I thought, “You are working 12 hours per day for minimum wage, grumbling every step of the way, to deliver to others the very product, that someone could be delivering to you, a product that could be changing your life.”
It is strange how we can often look right into the face of the answer to our struggles and see it as, well, as foolishness. I wonder how often Paul had that sense of “strangeness” come over him, as he preached the message of the cross? Often, to be sure.