Me and My Family are April Fools
Every year about this time, our family celebrates the New Year. Why? Because the Creator of the Universe commanded His children to observe the FIRST moon cycle (in spring) as the beginning of months according to the spring equinox.
This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2
This year is special, because the new moon lands right on APRIL 1st! That means as our family observes the "first month of the year", the rest of the world is celebrating a prankster day.
The Pattern of the World
Being a sojourner here in the world, pitching my tent in a land that I once called home, it's difficult to live according to different wisdom, different patterns.
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air Ephesians 2:2
I grew up with a typical upbringing, k-12, some college. Watched Sesame street, got all my childhood vaccines, had my 'best friend' in school, went to the dances, celebrated all the traditional holidays (merry easter/christmas), became agnostic/athiestic, had a bad attitude, drove a sport car, loved science (so called), watched too much anime, too many movies, too much television. I fell right in line with the pattern of the world and all it's vanity.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
It is in my nature to conform back to my former pattern, live according to the customs of the land, with what I am accustomed to, but if I am living according to the Spirit, me and my family will live in a manner that is foolish to the natural man. We may even seem foolish to ourselves at times!
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
We've Been Fools Since 1582
It's been a long time that people like us have been April Fools. In 1582, the "wisdom of the world" changed the beginning of years from March/April (springtime) to January (wintertime). Ironically, this was done among Christians at the "Council of Trent".
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Daniel 7:25
I'm not professing my family to be SAINTS, but these changing of times and laws are weary to us too! It would be very easy to become worn out as the world thinks it good to change times and laws from the natural law of the Most High. Especially for those coming OUT of the world's system.
How can we celebrate a new year in spring, on a day when everyone is tricking everyone else? How can we NOT celebrate a new year in January, when our calendar changes to a new year? This is the challenge. Who do we love?
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
Origins of April Fools' Day
In those days, people like me and my family would be mocked for believing God when He declared the "beginning of months" was in spring time.
This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2
It's not complicated, God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
Happy to Be April Fish
If we lived in France, would we have paper fish placed on our backs, mocked as being gullible people?
As the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. Eclesiastes 9:12
It's no coincidence that the fish was a symbol representing followers of Christ, as the Greek spelling of "fish" is an acronym for "Jesus Christ God's Son and Savior"
My family are April Fish. There is no shame in that. We have been caught in the fisher's net and dragged in to shore. Now the question is, are we worthy?
The Kingdom of Heaven (the Reign of God) is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Matthew 13:47-48
As long as we are the clean fish that the good fisherman has brought in for His good pleasure, then so be it. If we have the title of our Saviour placed on our backs, so be it.
We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 1 Corinthians 4:10
In the end, everything will be righted. When all is revealed, the wisdom of the world will be on full display - it is vanity and foolishness. With all the worldly wisdom out there, why are the words of the Most High disregarded, when it comes to the beginning of years?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:20-21
We await that glorious day, when everything is set right. The Creator will have His rightful worship restored on the earth, times and seasons will be restored, love towards the Most High and towards our fellow man will be restored, order and lawfulness will be restored and all the glory will go to the one who has saved a remnant out of the earth, the "fools for Christ", the "clean fish",
Bless the Most High!