It is April Fool’s Day. The day practical jokers get their kicks. The day honest people fib (for about two minutes before they come clean). The day friends laugh until they cry. The day some people use as an opportunity to be mean and hateful; and, the day well-meaning people sometimes make unwise decisions.
Years ago, I knew a woman who completely fooled her husband on April Fool’s Day by having her pregnant acquaintance take a pregnancy test which she later passed off as her own. Because he wanted to have another baby, her husband was understandably upset when he discovered her joke. She meant it in good fun, but he received it as a knife to the heart. If you are considering a joke today, think it through completely first. Know your audience. Some jokes hurt.
Speaking of painful jokes, my heart broke recently while listening to my favorite Pandora station, PG Comedy Radio, when a new artist came on and began making fun of the Creation Museum in Kentucky. He made comments such as, “Of course we should give our money to crazy people.” I listened for a minute longer until I could no longer stand it. Maybe he thought he was making harmless fun of a people group with whom he did not see eye-to-eye, but what he was doing was declaring, “The God of the Bible is not the creator and whoever disagrees with me is an idiot.” Even disguised as comedy, (which I love and listen to often) it still broke my heart.
How do you feel when comedians, TV shows, or random people casually demote God from Lord of all to a punch line? Does it hurt when others laugh Him off or seek to disprove Him? Do you enjoy the opportunity to speak about your faith? Do you shake it off and move on with your day? Do you pray? Do you confront? Do you feel pain in your chest?
The Fool Has Said in His Heart…
As a child, April Fool’s Day used to represent tricks and laughs to me, but in the last decade or so it has taken on a different meaning. Ever since the first time I heard, “Happy National Atheist Day,” the first day of April reminds me of the hordes of people who do not believe in the existence of a Creator and Sustainer. If that does not break our hearts, it should.
Maybe it seems harsh to refer to atheists as fools. As one who hates conflict and wants to bring harmony to every situation, I would certainly not declare it if God had not already done so.
The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. (Psalm 14:1, ESV)
Today I enjoyed the sunshine, the breeze, the blooming trees, and the Carolina blue sky, and the idea that anyone can believe all of it came from nothing – or, a chance – baffles me. God shows Himself day in and day out through His creation and some still do not see Him. Furthermore, they make fun of Him and those who believe our amazing world is the product of Intelligent Design.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1, ESV)
What Do You Believe about Creation?
At each person’s center is his or her beliefs regarding humanity’s origin. Are we created by God? Are we products of evolution? Are we created by God… but, through evolution? These questions are foundational for every person and therefore… to any relationship. What you believe about the origin of life will affect your marriage, your parenting, and your worship.
It Is Time for An April Fool’s Day Date
Even if you think you and your sweetheart are 100% compatible on all topics relating to God, science, Creationism, and apologetics, it never hurts to dig a little deeper. If you have questions, look in the Bible together and search for the answers. If possible, also find unbiased studies.
Below are some questions to consider. See if you learn anything new about each other. If you run across a difference of opinion, talk it out or write it down and revisit it soon. Whatever you do, refuse to ignore the differences even if they are uncomfortable. As all couples, including Eric and myself, eventually learn, ignored problems never go away.
- True or False:
- I often question the existence of an all-powerful creator.
- I see value in the quest for more knowledge, but I cannot commit to a position on the origin of life.
- I think creationism should be considered a science.
- I believe science disproves the existence of God. (Explain to each other.)
- It is important to me that those in my circle believe the way I do.
- When I become a parent, I will teach my children the following about the origin of life… (write out four to five sentences)
- I believe (choose one):
- In a literal, seven-day creation
- In theistic evolution (i.e., God created matter and then used evolution to move life through different stages)
- In evolution, without the design of a creator
- In another theory
- How have my beliefs about the origin of life influenced my faith?
- In good conscience, can I marry someone who does not share my beliefs about the origin of life?
What Does the Bible Say?
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2, ESV)
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20, ESV)
Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17, ESV)
For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. (Hebrews 3:4, ESV)
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2, ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33, ESV)
These few verses just scratch the surface. Dive into God’s Word together and see how His light shines throughout history – from Creation to the Flood to Abraham to Daniel to the days of Christ to the end where God reigns victorious! Then take a nature walk and admire the work of His hands. Proof of God is everywhere we look… starting in the mirror.
Is It Foundational?
The basis of our belief system starts with, “Where does it all begin?” What we believe about origins influences everything. Before you can get to the bottom of your core beliefs and write your creeds, it is imperative that you know what you believe about life and where it began.
Have Fun Today!
Happy April Fool’s Day to each of you. Have some fun today. We pray you grow in wisdom and seek God with all your heart. As we wrap up, I want to leave you with one of my favorite quotes. (If only I always took this to heart! ~smile~)
Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others. — Otto von Bismarck
For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. (Ecclesiastes 7:12, ESV)
What do you and your significant other believe about the origin of life?
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