July 16

You, God, and the Jackass

 

“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!”  ––1 Corinthians 4:10, NKJV

 

Consider the jackass. Otherwise known as the donkey, it’s estimated that mankind started domesticating them 5,000-7,000 years ago. Today, there are more than 50 million donkeys in the world—you can still see wild ones in the Southwest here in the US. 

 

A male donkey—or ass—is called a jack, and a female is called a jenny. Funny how the name “jackass” has come to be associated with men behaving like 12-year-old boys jacked up on Red Bull at a loosely chaperoned sleepover. Let’s face it, there’s good reason why stupid-acting people aren’t called “jenny asses.”

 

Joking aside, the jackass is an amazing animal. Need a workhorse that’s, well, cheaper and more practical than a horse? Behold the donkey. They can go without water for three days with no problem, and cover all types of terrain. They’re the veritable Jeeps of the equine world.

 

The pagan sorcerer Balaam trusted his donkey to fulfill his mission to go curse the Israelites on behalf of their Moabite enemy, King Balak. But the angel of the Lord blocked the donkey’s way three times, and each time Balaam beat the beast. Finally the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth and it said, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28)

 

So who acted like a jackass here? Not the donkey. Fortunately, Balaam finally came around and refused to curse the Israelites, despite Balak demanding seven times. Then Balaam saw himself as “one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened” (Numbers 24:4).

 

As God’s men we don’t follow the world’s standards of what is wise and what is foolish. Sometimes we’re the wise donkey—speaking God’s truth while looking the fool in the eyes of men—and sometimes we’re the stubborn human—needing to be told that WE are the one acting like a jackass. 

 

Father, help me be a fool for You rather than a jackass for the world.