Every summer I look forward to picking up a couple of good beach novels. Just before going down to Ocean City for the 4th of July weekend, I picked up a new paperback by one of my favorite authors, Harlen Coben. I can usually zip through his books in a few days because they're fast moving and usually pretty exciting. In this latest novel, The Woods, Coben introduces us to Paul Copeland, an Essex County, NJ prosecutor who is dealing with the tragic loss of his wife, after having lost a sister years earlier. In one passage of the book the character makes an interesting statement about his view of heaven. This is what he said: "I want to believe that there is a glorious afterlife and that above us, my wife, my sister and my father are all smiling down. But I can't make myself believe it. And when I peddle it to my daughter, I feel as though I'm lying to her. I do it anyway. For now it feels like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, something temporary and soothing, but in the end, she, like all children, will learn it is yet another parental lie with minimum justification."
As I read that statement I couldn't help but think that Copeland's opinion reflects the opinion of most unbelievers today. They view heaven, hell, and eternal life as some fairy tale that is as silly and improbable as a talking bunny or the fat man in the big red suit. The "smarter" the world gets, the more "foolish" the principles of faith seem to become. However, this is what Paul said - "If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." (1 Corinthinians 3:18-19)
If believing in heaven means I need to be a fool here on earth, I'm willing to accept the title. I hope you are as well. It will be really difficult to effectively lead in worship if this is not your philosophy of life. As worship leaders, our testimony and values are on the line each week. So this week, let's show the world what "fools" we really are!
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