A Fool for Christ: Jacqui's Faith Journey- Part 1

Hi friends! Today we begin Jacqui’s faith journey. I have known her for years and admire her greatly. Aside from my mom, she is someone I would like to become more like. She is radiant. Jacqui shines the light of Christ. She draws you in with her love, charm, humility, and kindness. I could go on and on about how amazing Jacqui is (and she truly is), but it is time to dive into her story. Enjoy!

When I think about my own story of faith with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I am always attached to the concept of what it is to be a fool for Christ.  In 1 Corinthians 4:10, Paul writes: 

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)

He’s basically stating that we’re willing to be anything that it needs to be.  We are willing to embarrass ourselves in front of others.  We have no shame when it comes to preaching the gospel.   I think, in Greek, Paul even compares himself to being almost like a vaudeville entertainer.  It isn’t someone with low intelligence, rather it’s someone who is willing to play the fool. 

The first time I heard this scripture was as an adult.  In fact, I didn’t hear the Bible taught, written, or read in any way until I was older.  Although I did not grow up in a Christian home, I grew up in a fantastic home with parents that were really excited about life.  My parents were two young New York City people that loved their kids and were very adventurous.  I think every time I saw my dad, for my whole life until he went to be with the Lord, he would say, “You just gotta know, you changed my life.”  So, I grew up with that confidence of a father that really, really loved me. 

We were culturally Irish Catholic, so to please my maternal grandparents, my parents had me christened in Brooklyn Heights, New York.  However, from then on there was no real discussion of Jesus, a faith walk, or anything of that kind in my home.  We had a cultural connection where we would go to church maybe on Christmas Eve or for Easter but little else. Even though we would have a nativity scene underneath the tree or on a table, as children we would use it to play in with our Barbies.  We didn’t quite understand. 

My dad was a businessman, so starting from when I was three years of age, we lived overseas in places like Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Middle East.  I developed a boldness and sense of resilience because I was accustomed to being an outsider in culture, looks, and personality almost from the get-go.  It was normal for me that most of my friends were from other places.

Living in other countries I saw my parents deal with crazy things.  Once, we had a panther come in our house and stalk us.  Rather than react in fear, my parents were like, “No worries.  We’ll catch it.”  So here are these two city dwellers literally trying to catch a jungle panther in their home.  There’s no ASPCA.  It’s just us and an angry panther but they figured it out.  Another time we were in China and even though my dad lost all our passports, we eventually got to where we needed to be.  The safety of the U.S. was not a part of my childhood, yet my parents’ attitude and spirit towards new situations indicated that there was nothing to be afraid of.  I saw that there was always a solution.  

As a result, I did not grow up with the fear of the unknown because everything was kind of unknown.  My parents gave us something much more valuable than material things.  They gave us the confidence of their love for us and their belief in us.  We were also able to observe their belief in themselves.  Even though they didn’t always have it figured out, it gave us something to really hold on to in uncertain times. 

Overall, growing up, I was just very confident that I didn’t need God.  It didn’t even occur to me that I would.  I respected people’s religions.  I grew up around Islam and Eastern religions.  I thought you respect people by honoring their beliefs.  It didn’t occur to me that one may be truer than another.  Christianity was simply a cultural connection for Americans or Europeans.  Even though I grew up around loads of missionary kids, the gospel never really entered my mind. 

When we finally returned to the U.S. I was a teenager.  By that time, I had a little bit of wisdom about the world, but I think I carried a funny spirit about how things were.  Obviously, God knew that.  He formed me.  He knows my ways.  He always has.  I can imagine God was like, “This little odd child.  I’m going to come back for her.”  And He sure did. 

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