For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. [1 Corinthians 1:25-29 ESV]
When Kyle West was a freshman at Patrick Henry College he was followed around by a camera crew capturing his first few days at college. Previously, when he was seven, he was interviewed by James Dobson. Dr. Dobson asked him if he thought God had a purpose for his life.
“I know He has a purpose for my life, but I don’t think it could be anything too important. What would God do with a boy with cerebral palsy? There are billions of other kids out there, why would he want to use me?” http://www.phc.edu/20110210_kylewest.php
When Kyle was 13 he was interviewed by Del Tackett with excerpts of his comments sprinkled throughout the video series The Truth Project. Now, as a young man he is preparing himself to meet the challenges of a godless world in a way which glorifies God and gives himself enjoyment.
This young man, whether he realizes it or not, exemplifies the truth of allowing God’s light, with his own light, to shine through unhindered. One of the things he does, especially within The Truth Project, is honestly state God’s truth to the questions posed. Others, from atheists to heretics who espouse deeply held sinful beliefs, state exactly what the world believes and teaches. It took a 13 year old captured by God to put them in their places.
Peter tells us to “do good” and by so doing we will “silence the ignorant talk of foolish men” [1 Peter 2:15 ESV]. Light exposes the lies hidden in darkness demanding those lies look honestly at what they propound. Truth, even if not accepted, will always expose the lie for what it is.
Foolish beliefs are deeply held, ingrained, part of the warp and woof of the person’s essential world-view. It is impossible for any person to think themselves out of what they believe. These beliefs are held in place more by emotion than intellect. Emotional attachments are hard to break. They control our actions more than our reasoning. Emotions permeated by sin manufactures excuses to do what is known as wrong by putting the blame on anything other than self. Perhaps this is why God demands people relinquish control of their emotional attachments to family and things. People would rather go to hell with their family than go to heaven with their God.
Our light cannot work alone and was never meant to stand by itself. Even the weakest person, the stutterer, the shy and withdraw, the socially inept, the physically weak and compromised, when controlled and directed by the power of the Holy Spirit, is unstoppable. It is His light combined with our light. While this may happen through children, especially those nurtured by God within godly families, and while Jesus tells us we must become like children to see the kingdom of heaven, it is the desire and determination of each who seeks God He uses. There is nothing magical in a relationship with God. It is in relationship the greatest light shines and only in relationship with God will truth defeat the lie. We are citizens of a kingdom. His kingdom, not our own.
It is the purpose of the citizen of the kingdom of heaven to bear witness for God in this world. While we bear witness He prepares us for eternity. How the world reacts to us, to the truth of our lives, should not have any bearing on our actions. Too often, how the world views us and how we want to be viewed by the world will have great influence. Should we consider the attitudes of the world toward us of importance we weaken our light and the life of truth God is working in us. We cannot weaken God anymore than the world can weaken God. But, we can lessen the intensity of our light. How sad this is. Our lives now matter for eternity.
The Underground Theologian 