"In Jest" Shows, Keynotes, and More with Nels Ross Cremean - Variety Artist - Clean Comedian - Keynote Speaker - Professional Oddball - Buffalo, New York, USA
The word fool can refer to someone who is senseless or unwise. It can also refer to a jester (court fool), an ardent enthusiast (dancing fool) or, according to American Heritage Dictionary, "one who subverts convention or orthodoxy or varies from social conformity in order to reveal spiritual or moral truth" (holy fool). You can decide which definitions fit this story.
This is a very personal account of one chapter in Nels' spiritual journey. It may seem unorthodox to share this here as it deals with serious issues, but hopefully you'll find it uplifting. If you want to continue, here it is in his own words...
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My mother was a mime and fire eater, among other things. My father was a minister. So it's not surprising that I was introduced to juggling and other variety arts at a performing arts ministry conference when I was just eight years old.
For the next decade I clowned around often, especially with my good friend, Andrew Barden, at summer camp where we enjoyed showing off our skills and silly stunts. Then I went to the University at Buffalo where I intended to get serious and do something productive with my life.
We believed that every person – born or unborn – was precious to God, yet we were anxious and confused about many things. It was good that we found godly counsel through two wonderful people from SonRays Ministries.
We also had the support of friends from a campus ministry. One friend suggested that Elizabeth and I spend time apart to seek God. So I did what any noble young man would do in this situation...
I ran away with the circus!
Oddly enough, that choice did end up bringing us closer to God and each other.
. . .
During that time we wrote letters to each other and spent a lot of time praying. Other people were praying for us, too. I won't go into the private details here, but many miracles happened. Hearts changed. Relationships restored. Faith renewed.
God used that time to remind us of Christ's love and this promise in Proverbs: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
My focus shifted upward and outward that summer. Do I trust in the Lord? What am I living for? Who am I living for? Although this shift did not necessarily mean that Elizabeth and I would get back together, I'm glad to tell you that we did.
. . .
Over the next few years I focused most of my energy on family and academics. However, after completing degrees in mathematics and education, I never did get a legitimate job. Instead I decided to pursue performing and presenting as a profession.
It's funny to think that the "silly things" I learned as a youth and with the circus are now supporting my family and bringing joy to thousands of people.
By the way, Elizabeth and I now have five precious children, and our love continues to grow. But the point of this story is not that turning to God instantly solved all our problems.
We still don't have all the answers. We still make mistakes and have struggles. The point is that we have hope, for we know the God of the Bible. The God who gives grace to the humble. The God who loves the world so much that He gave His only Son. If you want more evidence that God is good, here's some news from the book of Romans in the Bible to consider:
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"God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us... For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus... Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Jesus' atoning death demonstrates God's awesome love. The love that brought this fool home. You could certainly call me a "fool for Christ." I enjoy using my talents to bless people and to share the joy that never fades. Eternal joy. Eternal life.
Joyfully His,
