Wednesday, June 01, 2011

The University of Stupid

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the Commencement Exercise of the University of Stupid graduating class of 2011. Our institute is dedicated to prepare our students to excel in the following areas--being dense in their interpersonal relationships, being thick headed in their interaction with co-workers, friends, and especially fellow church members. Once we move from interpersonal relationships, we work on their relationship with God. In all areas of study, our proud graduates have worked hard to be obstinate, thick headed and stubborn. They work hard to have the proud title of 'Fool.'

I can recall clearly when our freshmen first entered four years ago. They were quiet as they entered our halls. They didn’t say much, but were just getting started on their journey to total stupidity. Their class motto is found in Proverbs 17:28. 'Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent and discerning and if he holds his tongue.'

After only one year with us at the University of Stupid, they learned a lot and they grew to understand Proverbs 12:15, 'The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.' Our sophomores will not listen to any advice. Their class motto is popular among the public, and some politicians--'My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with facts!'

Our faculty watched with pride as they moved on from keeping silent and being stubborn. They mastered the devil’s greatest tool, which is evil and hurtful speech. Proverbs 18:13 says, 'He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.' Proverbs 10:18 is, 'He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.'

Some of our more successful students at the University of Stupid even took summer school. They studied hard in areas of arguing. Proverbs 20:3says, 'It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.' Some took advanced courses in laziness like from Ecclesiastes 4:5, 'The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.'

Ecclesiastes 10:12-13 sums up the course of study in being fools at the University of Stupid. 'Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. At the beginning his words are folly, at the end they are wicked madness and the fool multiplies words.'

Each senior at the University of Stupid then has to pass the senior project. He or she has moved from silence to being stubborn and self centered, and then using their speech and actions to hurt others and the cause of Christ. The senior project at the University of Stupid is summed up in this passage from Psalms 15:1, 'The fool says in his heart, 'there is no God.'

At this point, the student is a graduate from the University of Stupid. The University of Stupid (or U.S.) has turned their back on God, and His message of love, grace, and showing us how to live peacefully in this world."

Where do YOU study?