Mensa is an organization whose members have an IQ of 140 or higher. A
few years ago, there was a Mensa convention in San Francisco, and
several members lunched at a local cafe. While dining, they discovered
that their saltshaker contained pepper and their peppershaker was full
of salt. How could they swap the contents of the bottles without
spilling, and using only the implements at hand? Clearly this was a job
for Mensa! The group debated and presented ideas, and finally came up
with a brilliant solution involving a napkin, a straw, and an empty
saucer. They called the waitress over to dazzle her with their solution.
"Ma'am," they said, "we couldn't help but notice that the
peppershaker contains salt and the saltshaker...."
"Oh," the
waitress interrupted. "Sorry about that." She unscrewed the caps of both
bottles and switched them.
We live in a world, like the Greek
culture of the first century, that prides itself on being "wise." We
have achieved so much in the area of technology. We've set up a space
station that orbits the earth. We've visited the moon. We've taken
close-up pictures of Mars. We feel confident that we are able to figure
out the answer to almost every problem that is presented to us, if we
work on it long enough.
And yet, like the Greek culture of the
first century, our own culture -- which takes such pride in its own
wisdom -- seems unable to understand that which is truly wise. Solving
the great problem of mankind doesn't involve eliminating poverty,
preventing global warning, or even making world peace possible. No,
those who are "wise" in this world seem blind to what the world's
biggest problem is -- our separation from God. And those with less
earthly wisdom are often more open to God's solution to that problem,
which is centered in the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul put it this way:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it
is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of
the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the
scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish
the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world
through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the
foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand
miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ
crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to
those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God
and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's
wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." (I
Corinthians 1:18-25, NIV)
The "foolishness" of God truly is wiser
than man's wisdom! Be reminded of that the next time you see salt and
pepper shakers.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Innisfil, ON, Canada
