Fools

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Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!” I exclaimed, my words a mix of joy and incredulity.

“You’ve begun to reign, even without us! Oh, how I wish your reign had truly begun, so that we might also share in your rule!” The longing in my voice echoed off the stone walls, bouncing back at me with a sharp sting.

“It seems to me,” I continued, my tone shifting to something grimmer, “that God has placed us apostles at the end of the procession, like those sentenced to die in the arena. We’ve become a spectacle for all creation to see – for angels and humans alike.”

“We’re fools for Christ’s sake, but you…you’re so wise in Him. We’re weak, while you stand strong. You are held in honor, and we? We’re left in disgrace.”

As I spoke, my heart ached with a sorrow I hadn’t expected. “Even now,” I confessed, “we go hungry and thirsty. We’re dressed in rags, treated harshly, without a home to call our own.”

“We labor hard with our own hands. When cursed at, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we respond with kindness.” My voice grew softer with each word until it was barely above a whisper. “We’ve become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world—right up to this very moment.”

The room fell silent. The only sound was the faint crackling of the fire and the distant hoot of an owl. It was as if even nature held its breath in anticipation of what was to come next.

But there was nothing else to say. I had laid bare my soul for all to see – our struggle and our resolve intertwined in one honest confession.

My gaze traveled across the room, meeting the eyes of each individual. I didn’t know what they would make of my words, but it didn’t matter. The truth was out, raw and unfiltered. It was up to them to decide what they would do with it.

“I reckon, we’ve become weak in the world’s eyes to serve God,” I said, the truth of the words sinking into my bones. “We’ve learned to be grateful for even the simplest of needs being met. The crust of bread that fills our stomachs, the threadbare blankets that shield us from the chill.”

My voice grew soft, thoughtful. “My joy doesn’t lie in material wealth or worldly power. No, my joy…it’s in walking with God. It’s in serving others.”

A flicker of warmth kindled in my chest as I spoke, illuminating the humble path I’d chosen. The world might see it as a life of hardship, but to me, it was a life rich with purpose.

“I’ve found my mission,” I confessed. “It’s not in leading armies or ruling kingdoms. It’s in lifting people up, supporting their growth. It’s in helping them discover their worth, their potential.”

A hush fell over the room as I paused, collecting my thoughts. In that quiet moment, gratitude welled up within me.

“I am thankful,” I declared, my voice echoing through the stillness. “I am thankful for all that has been given to me.”

There was no wealth in my pockets or power in my name, but there was richness in my heart and strength in my spirit.

“I am blessed beyond words,” I murmured, a sense of peace washing over me.

And it was true. Despite the hardships we faced, despite the scorn and derision from those who didn’t understand our path, I felt profoundly blessed.

As I looked around at the faces of those who shared this journey with me, a smile tugged at my lips. Our lives were simple and often challenging, but they were also filled with love and purpose.

“We are blessed,” I repeated softly.

The words hung in the air between us – a gentle reminder of our chosen path, our shared mission. It was a life of service, a life of humility, a life of love. And I wouldn’t have traded it for anything else.

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