Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell. McAlester, OK

“Question: How Dumb Can One Be? Answer: It’s Limitless!!”
“At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.” – Proverbs 7:6-7 (NIV)

“Two things are infinite; the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” – Albert Einstein
“Life is tough—but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.” – John Wayne
“Stupid is as stupid does.” - Tom Hanks (as Forrest Gump)

I recently saw a Facebook “Picture Post” that was a classic. It was a cartoon picture of an individual with these words attached: “I’ve stopped asking the question, ‘How dumb can you be?’ because I realized that many were taking it on as a challenge.” How many of you have heard of “The Darwin Awards?” Named in honor of Charles Darwin, since 1994 the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it. Consider a couple of past “winners.” (November 1997, Pennsylvania) Wayne Roth, 38, of Pittston, was bitten by a cobra belonging to his friend, Roger Croteau, after playfully reaching into the tank and picking up the snake. Wayne subsequently refused to go to a hospital, telling Roger, "I'm a man, I can handle it." Falser words have seldom been spoken. Instead of a hospital, Wayne reported to a bar. He had three drinks, and enjoyed bragging that he had just been bitten by a cobra. Cobra venom is a slow-acting central nervous system toxin. He died within a few hours, in Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania. (31 July 2009, South Carolina) Two disguised men entered a Sprint store on Sparkleberry Lane, pulled out guns, and stole wallets, purses, and credit cards from employees before ordering them into a bathroom. Both men fled, but they could not flee from their own stupidity. 23-year-old James T. had disguised himself by painting his face gold. Yes, in order to conceal his identity during the robbery, James had covered his skin with spray paint. If this isn't a Darwin Award, what is? Paints are clearly labeled, do not get on skin, do not get in eyes, do not inhale. Paint fumes are well-known to be toxic, and the metallic colors are particularly noxious. James began having trouble breathing (surprise!) and died wheezing shortly after the robbery took place. To add insult to injury, the disguise was ineffective. Witnesses were certain as to the identity of their assailant. Had he lived, James, like his surviving accomplice, would have been charged with armed robbery. Not to be outdone by these brilliant scholars allow me to add one more and this comes from a website that highlights “stupid criminals.” "A man and his girlfriend were robbing a convenience store. While waiting for her boyfriend to finish getting the money, the woman noticed a contest entry form. Thinking it would be cool to win, she filled out the form, complete with her name, address, and phone number. A few hours later the police were at the couple's house to arrest them." Isn’t that the jest of what Solomon is saying? He is witnessing someone getting ready to do something really stupid—something mankind has been doing for a long time!! How is it that after centuries and at a time when we should be far more enlightened we continue to act in ways that probably astounds God? It goes to prove that the human mind, when given the opportunity to think on its own is capable of some pretty bizarre things—ergo, the examples provided above. And, the one Solomon provides as well. Life comes at us at such an incredibly fast pace—being able to “think through” each situation that comes our way may not always be a luxury we have available to us. We may have to rely on what we have been given or learned to get us through those encounters—that, and the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit! How many times have we (figuratively of course) reached our hands into a tank filled with snakes—been bitten—and go on as if nothing has happened? Maybe even bragged about it to our friends? But as the illustration above points out there are always consequences. You may have to die a “stupid” death to be nominated for a “Darwin Award,” but every life lived apart from Christ leads to a useless death. Don’t be among those!
Pastor J. T. Carnell