Do We Want to Become Wise?

 

Proverbs 19:20 – Hear counsel, receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

    There is a strange and hazardous tendency within all of us, to want what we want, when we want it. All children must learn that good things do, indeed, take time, and there is a necessary process to follow before rewards are given. We are being exhorted, here, in this statement, to put first things first. The most important thing to learn is, that the fulfillment of any desire, or accomplishment of a goal, is not the most important thing. The process that we must go through, to obtain our objectives, is the most important thing, because that process ensures that we change and mature, and develop lasting, trustworthy, fully-formed character.

    In order to hear, we must quit talking; we must value what someone else is saying, for without that, we will never truly listen. Most of us have learned enough manners to stop talking and let someone else speak, but that does not mean we are listening; quite often, we are merely waiting for our turn to speak again. Listening is a lost skill and forgotten talent in our world today. Many people may lose their hearing and be in need of a hearing aid, but, just because the sound gets amplified, that does not ensure that one is listening. Listening is different than hearing. Listening is a developed skill that seeks to discern what another is saying. We may accidently hear, or over-hear something, but we never accidently listen. Listening is a decision, it is always intentional.

    What is it that we are to listen to? Counsel. We live in a world that is overloaded with information, and every day we are bombarded with it. The daily news informs us of the latest event; the most recent scientific advances and medical breakthroughs. Social media saturates us with images and notifies us what others are doing. Information, knowledge, statistics and data. Events, meetings, opportunities and options. So much noise. So much clamour. Almost pandemonium. With all of that going on daily, it is absolutely necessary to hear; to listen; to differentiate and discern. Just as a gold-panner would swirl the sludge around, so that the heavier particles would remain in the bottom of the pan, we too must sift and sort through the barrage of information, so that the weightier and more important matters, the good counsel, may appear.

    There are very few people who understand and value their need for correction, and even fewer, who graciously and wisely receive it. Correction is a vital element which is necessary for progress in any venture, and yet, that same element is almost always rejected. What person is there that could not improve in at least one area of their life? We say that we want to improve, but the only way to get better is to accept the fact that there may be another way, and, that better way is normally shown to us by another person, and that is where the trouble lies. We do not have the humility to acknowledge that someone else’s idea, or way, may be superior to ours.

    One modern writer has taught us that successful and productive people always begin with the end in mind. What is it that we want to accomplish, or achieve? Settle that first and then work towards that end. If you wish to build a storage shed on your property, you would get a picture and plan of it first, then begin. If you desired to obtain a university degree you would begin with the goal in mind and discipline yourself to that task. Likewise, here, in our verse, we are to begin with the end in mind.

    Do you want to be wise in your latter years? Start now. Listen to good counsel. Accept constructive criticism. Open yourself up to learning and improving. Read books by authors of another perspective. Associate with others who may be older and more experienced. Have some humility. Refuse to have a know-it-all attitude. Take note of what works and doesn’t work. Be disciplined. Stay at it, and in the end, we will have lived a fulfilling and satisfying life of wisdom, we will have helped a lot of people along the way, we will have gained a rich experience, and we will have enjoyed the rewards that go along with it.

 

Who are Your Companions?

 

Who are Your Companions?

Proverbs 13:20 – He that walks with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

    Physicists tell us that all physical objects exert a gravitational pull on each other; they silently influence and affect each other. If this is true for physical, inanimate objects, how much truer is it for living beings? The Bible reinforces the fact that we are being constantly influenced and we are also, simultaneously influencing others. The type of people we associate and walk with will determine much of the quality and outcome of our lives.

    To walk with someone implies a steady, consistent connection and relationship. Apparently, both wisdom and foolishness are transferable through our association with others and the influence they have on our attitude, our speech and our overall way of life. We don’t become wise or foolish overnight, but both are inevitable depending on the kind of people with whom we consistently associate.

    If we desire to be wise, then we must intentionally find wise people to observe and learn from. Have you noticed that those who work in the financial planning realm usually end up being well-off financially? That is because all day long they are in an environment where finances and wise investments are on people’s minds and in their conversations. If a young lady goes to work in one of those offices, she will come under the influence of older ones who have proven these things over time and have become very successful. There is also, a climate of positive peer pressure which influences all to use their money wisely. Over time, the young lady, by walking with wise mentors will become financially wise.

    We are directly influenced, whether positively or negatively, by those with whom we spend time. It might be the books we read, the movies we watch, the people we are involved with, or the places we go. Thoughts, ideas, philosophies and beliefs affect us, influence us and mould our lives. If all we do is spend time observing people at the beach, then bikinis and biceps will be what is on our mind. If all we do is go to the mall, then jackets and jewelry will absorb our thoughts. What do we spend the bulk of our time doing? What is it that consumes our energies and interests? Have you and I taken an inventory lately?

    Foolishness brings ruin and loss and it is the sad story of all stubborn, thick-headed people. A fool is oblivious to what is happening around him. He continues rushing recklessly forward on the same rough road not having sense enough to stop and consider where this road leads. He is unaware that he is destroying himself because he is about as sharp as a child’s plastic axe. Every day brings more pain but, apparently, not enough to motivate him to initiate change.

    The principles of wisdom are slowly taught, and it is our responsibility and choice to seek out the resources of wisdom; read the books, listen to the messages, and learn those principles, but the attitude of wisdom is subconsciously caught. That attitude is infectious and you can only catch it from spending time and rubbing shoulders with intelligent and wise people. Get some new friends, associate with people who have some goals, acquaint yourself with the wide world of wisdom, listen and learn, observe and practice and then, watch your life steadily change and improve in ways that you could never have imagined.

Leadership

 Proverbs 28:16 – The prince that lacks understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

   Leadership is so much more than merely occupying a position; in fact, positional leadership is the lowest, and least effective type. Occupying a position of authority might give you some power, but it does not make you a leader. One who aspires to be a good leader needs many different tools in her tool kit, and, in order to be effective, she must also know how to use them. Shiny new tools may look pretty, but they will be of no benefit to anyone, unless they are put to proper use.

    The highest type of leadership is interpersonal leadership, and one of the primary qualities of that kind of leader is an intelligent and wise understanding of people and things, and how everything relates and is connected. If one lacks the skill and ability to understand, then it matters not what university diploma hangs on the wall, what title is written on the door, or how many years of experience one has under the belt. Understanding is a primary and vital key to the success and effectiveness of any enterprise or relationship. Sadly, however, there are many people in positions of authority, that not only lack these things, but are not even aware of what they lack. They simply do not know that there is a vital need to learn these skills and do better.

    The English word understanding can be traced back to another way of spelling it, and that is; inter-standing, and doesn’t that speak volumes to us? To be an understanding person, then, is to have keen perception and wise intelligence that sees how all persons interact. Truly, we do not stand alone; we inter-stand. John Donne made reference to this truth, when he wrote, centuries ago, ‘No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.’

    There is an old saying that tells us that nature abhors a vacuum, which means that a bare piece of land will not stay bare for long; something will blow in and take root. Likewise, there is no vacuum in leadership, so if a leader does not possess this quality of understanding, he will not simply be ineffective, unfortunately, other forces will come in and take root and he will, instead, whether knowingly or unknowingly, be a strong force of oppression. Understanding motivates us to lift people up and empower them, but the lack of it pushes people down and oppresses them.

    Another necessary trait of a good leader is an abhorrence and strong distaste for covetousness. To covet is to have a consuming desire to possess for one’s self only. It cares not who owns something, or who has a right to it. It is an extremely self-centred greed, bordering on narcissism, which dictates that the only thing that matters is unending variations of the word, me. Understanding is all about the wide world of others and covetousness is all about the narrow world of self-absorption, which latter world, of course, was fathered by the original, self-focused narcissist; the devil.

    If we are proactive and intentional about realizing what it will take to be a compassionate and decisive leader, there will never be a vacuum. Indeed, the door to all those selfish and harmful elements will stay closed, and our families, organizations and churches will enjoy the blessing of fulfilment and productivity, leaving a legacy that will be enjoyed for a long time.

    

Pick up the Scent Again

 

Proverbs 8:32 – Now therefore hearken unto me, O you children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

    Imagine what life would be like if we always made wise choices. How would our financial situation look? What state would our health be in? What about our friendships or marriage? Realistically, though, we know that we do not always choose wisely. We live in a very imperfect world and there are many other factors and forces that come into play. A wise person then, may not necessarily, be someone who always acts wisely but one who, after making a wrong choice and possibly even falling, gets back up, dusts himself off and continues down the path of wisdom.

    We are exhorted by Wisdom to hearken to her. Hearken has its’ roots in an Old English word which was used to describe the hound dogs returning to the place where the scent had been lost in order to find it once again. Isn’t that powerful and picturesque? How many times have we lost the scent of God and have gotten off track and lost our way? Wisdom brings us back to the place where the scent has vanished and locates it for us once again.

    A hound is dependent on its nose for tracking, not necessarily its’ eyes or ears. It trusts its’ nose more than what it hears or sees. We, likewise, are to walk by faith and not by sight, not trusting our own understanding, but trusting in the wisdom of God. In other words, wisdom may not always look like wisdom, consequently, there is an element of faith that must go ahead and make the choice that it senses it must make. Purchase the land that other buyers are passing over. Befriend the person who is considered a lost cause. Apply for the job when it appears that it is way out of reach for you. Enter the contest. Start the business. Attend that church. Meet new people. Write the book. Learn the instrument. Trust what you sense inside; trust the guiding wisdom of God.

    Children are those who know that they can not make it on their own. They know their place and recognize their need for another to help. We are to have the spirit and attitude of a child; open, receptive, teachable and pliable. An innocent child is simply happy to be alive and eagerly taking in all the wonder.

    To be blessed is to be in a state of happiness and contentment, never wishing you were someone else, or wanting to be somewhere else. No! A blessed person has all that they need even though they may have many challenges and difficulties to face. It is a spiritual and emotional state that money or fame can never buy because it is not acquired through money; it is acquired through wisdom. There are many rich people in this world who do not have what the blessed person has, and those same rich people may even envy them because that condition of lasting happiness and satisfaction may have eluded them all their life.

    To keep God’s ways implies that we must be aware and on guard that there are enemies to walking in the paths of God. There will always be diversions and different paths being offered in an attempt to side-track us, so to speak. The paths of wisdom are well-established ways that are time-tested and time-trusted. We do not have to reinvent the wheel; those paths already exist. We just have to pick up the scent again and stay close to wisdom’s guidance. They that keep those ways and follow those paths are those who will continue to enjoy the blessing of God’s peace and contentment, no matter what comes their way, and that, my friends, is a satisfying life.

 

The Torn Veil

Mark 15:38 – And the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

The death of Jesus was accompanied by an exceptionally significant and remarkably unusual occurrence; the veil which cordoned off the area of the temple known as the Holy of Holies, was torn in two. According to historians, that veil or curtain, was approximately sixty feet wide, forty feet high, and four inches thick. This was an extremely heavy and strong fabric. It would not be possible for any man to tear this veil; only God, Himself, could have torn it. It is also interesting to note that it was torn from the top to the bottom, which seems to establish that this was, in fact, an act of God. Someone has once said that if change does not come from the top down by revelation, it will come from the bottom up by revolution. In this case, God Himself, was initiating a dramatic change, from the top down.

The temple was always considered hallowed to the Jew, but the Holy of Holies was the place of utmost sacredness. There was such a holy fear and deep reverence about it that the average person would not dare to ask any questions about its’ mystery. Why was there a veil to begin with? What lies beyond the veil? Many priests ministered in the holy place, but only one priest was granted access to the Holy of Holies and that was the High Priest, and He was only permitted behind that thick curtain once a year on the Day of Atonement. Even though he was the High Priest and carried a lot of authority, on that day his authority would not be what protected him; his only safeguard would be his humility, and so he ventured in with trepidation and great precaution.

The veil was torn. A tear in any fabric is difficult, if not impossible, to mend. God was making a statement about the veil; He did not want man to step in and try to fix it. No! For God knows that when man attempts to fix things, particularly spiritual things beyond his understanding, he always makes matters worse. Religion is man’s attempt to fix things, mend things, and make them right. Religion wants to sew the veil and get back to the way things were. God, however, wanted a lasting change and He tore the veil for that reason.

That veil separated men from God’s presence, it put distance between them. It shrouded man’s understanding of God, thus creating a distorted view of the True and Living God. When the veil was torn it symbolized the freedom for all people to draw near and come close to God. It is as if God was saying, ‘Come, do not be afraid to approach my presence. You do not have to be anyone special, you do not need a list of credentials, or an impeccable lifestyle. All can come. All are invited. All are welcome.’

The other exciting thing that the torn veil illustrates is that not only can men now freely come to God, but God Himself moved out from behind the heavy curtain. He would no longer be veiled in mystery because of His choice to allow Himself to be seen in a new light. He would now be mobile and not limited to a certain place or city. Religion always insists that specific places are more sacred than others and so we must journey to those places to benefit. However, in God’s mind, it is not about the sanctified places as much as it is the sacred faces. Our gracious Father loves and values people, He longs for relationship.

He tore the veil because that veil only served a purpose until Jesus died. His death marked the beginning of a new era for mankind. It inaugurated a new relationship between God and man; indeed, Jesus’ death initiated a completely new creation. There would now be no separation, no barrier, nor exclusion.  It is as if our Father is saying, ‘It matters not where you have been, nor where you are right now. I am calling out for you. Like a love-struck man pursuing the woman of his dreams, I am pursuing you. I will not stop, my love for you is relentless. Don’t run from me. Slow down, stop, and listen. There is only one other veil that needs to be torn, and that is the veil in your mind that stops the true light from entering. I have torn the veil of the old way of doing things, now you must tear the veil of lies that have kept you from me. Rip the veil of fears that have blocked me out. Simply whisper the name of Jesus and the inner veil will be destroyed. The light and warmth of my love and grace will penetrate your heart and you will see how valuable and precious you are to me. Together we will walk, full of hope, into a brand-new and fulfilling future.’

 

Light in the Darkness

Isaiah 9:2 - The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light has shined. 

 

Darkness. Just the mention of the word brings up feelings of heaviness, sadness, isolation, and despair. Memories of lost loved ones, reminders of broken relationships, and the pain of sheer loss may come to us when we sit alone in the dark. Our world is confused, perplexed, divided, and polarized. It is in a state of darkness, which is separating us from the light and warmth of family and friends. Even those who may not be separated and alone are still, quite often, lonely.

I once heard that loneliness might be the longing of one’s heart crying out for relationship. It might be the soul calling out to be noticed. If that is true, then the sense of aloneness and solitude can be an opportunity to listen for the Voice that is whispering your name. Even though our world may be a dark place, a place without hope, a place without guidance, without purpose, yet there is a light that shines in the darkness. When the night comes, as it does to all of us, we must remember that the light has not stopped shining. It has not changed. The light remains undiminished. It is we that have changed. Just as the Earth revolves and reorients itself to the Sun, so we too, must again turn our eyes to the light.

Religion is man’s attempt to bring light to the world, but sadly, that light is no more than a flashlight and the batteries are dying. Religion preaches right and wrong, good and bad, worthy and unworthy. God’s light does neither, it simply shines. It unveils with intense clarity things as they are. Light never needs to boast or trumpet its entrance, it is silent yet poised and powerful. It diffuses its rays effortlessly and darkness must always give way to its influential presence.

The verse above relates to the time of the very first Christmas, indeed the birth of Jesus marked the arrival of a very great light. The world had always walked in darkness, only darkness, heavy darkness, and like a night-time creature, all eyes had adjusted to it. The hope of light had diminished, and it seemed like darkness had won…but a Child was born. And this Child was like no other. He shone a bright and illuminating light, He dispelled the night wherever He went, and He still does today.

I want to encourage you, friends, when you think of this season, when you think of your life and the changes you hope for, do not think of religion and who is right and who is wrong. Do not think of governments and who is good and who is bad. Do not think of all that is chaotic or depressing. No! Simply think of Jesus who is light. Think of the power of light and the warmth and life that it brings. Remove the barriers that are blocking the light. Open the shutters of your heart and mind and let the light in. That light will inspire you and illuminate your path. What clarity, what hope, what joy, what a future light creates! Truly and undeniably, ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great Light!’

He Gives Power to the Faint

 

Isaiah 40:29 - He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. 

    The God we serve is not far off, distant, or disengaged from our lives; in fact, He is the exact opposite of that. He is the up close and personal God; the greatest and most caring Father one could ever know, and this is the One of whom Isaiah says that He gives power to the faint. It is always His will and desire to give, and that is because giving is His very nature.

    What is it that the Lord wants to give? Power. Nothing in this life will be of any use without power. Mankind has always looked for ways to harness a greater power to produce maximum results. In the days before electrical power was dominant, there were other forms of power which were utilized by men. It might have been the power of the long branch operated to leverage a heavy object, or the power of the horse pulling a plow, or that of the rushing river turning a wheel to grind flour. Likewise, our bodies need an outside power which is greater than ourselves, and our gracious Father is in the power business.

    He gives power; we do not earn it. It is freely given, but just like electricity must be conducted, so the laws surrounding God’s power must be followed for it to flow unhindered. As was stated previously, it is always God’s will to give, but there is no giving without one to receive the gift, and the way that we receive from Him is by faith. Faith is conducive to the flow of power.

   When something is referred to as being faint, then that means it is feeble and weak. A faint signal would be one that is extremely hard to hear and barely perceptible; a faint light would be a dim bulb that is on the verge of burning out; and a faint body would be one that is very fragile and without strength or vitality. God gives power to the faint; He strengthens the weak bodies of people and places them on a path of recovery. He strengthens their resolve and fills them anew with hope. Power from God does not always remove the sickness instantaneously, although it can, it often simply strengthens the body and promotes a healing process. If we are struggling with a sickness or, a chronic weakness of any kind, based on this verse, we can confidently ask and expect God to give us His power and strength to overcome the difficulty.

    Who is it that God desires to give His power to? The faint and those who have no strength. The heart of our Father God seems to be attracted to the underdog and to those who have no one to help them. Indeed, He says elsewhere that He will not extinguish a dimly burning wick. This is good news for all who find themselves in a dark and depressed place, without hope, for when we are at the end of our self, we find the beginning of God. The end of our rope is the place where we can let go and let God catch us in His loving arms, and once those arms surround and embrace us, His power is simultaneously transferred through those arms into us. He is so faithful; without a doubt; He gives power to the faint.

Stand on Guard

 

Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

There is some very passionate and intense language in this verse exhorting us to guard our hearts. To guard something implies that there is danger nearby that may threaten its safety and preservation. If I am guarding a valuable treasure, that means that I will have to take precautions to keep it out of the hands of vandals or thieves. I will have to have plans in place to ensure its protection. Anything of value in this life is at risk of being stolen, for there is always a thief watching and waiting to take what doesn’t belong to him.

Not only are we told to guard the treasure of our hearts, we are told to do it above all else. Let this take precedence. Let this be your priority. If we do not guard our hearts, we may lose everything. Nothing else matters if we lose our sense of purpose, or we lose our own sense of value; we have lost everything. I could have a lot of money but be totally empty inside. I could have a large paid-for house, but no friends or family around to enjoy it with me. Or, sadly, I could have a successful ministry and large congregation, but it may have cost me much more than I intended.

Of course, all these things are part of the challenge of living a balanced life. God desires for us to be productive in life; He wants us to be influencers and leaders within our social circles. He knows what it takes to make a living, to raise a family, to serve in your church, or community. Balance and priorities are the keys to a happy and fulfilling life.

Our primary task is keeping a close eye on our heart, which is our inner man, our spirit, the person within, who is in contact and communion with God. Like the roots of a tree, which are hidden from our view, our spirit is rooted in the unseen realm, deep in the soil of God and through that connection, we draw up life from Him. Just as that same tree needs its roots to be protected, so we, too, must diligently guard our hearts for, like the roots, out of it comes our very life. The condition of our life is determined by the condition of our heart, just as the health of the root determines the health of the fruit.

If we’ve made wrong choices and said stupid things, as all of us have, we should listen to the counsel of a friend of mine who always has deep insights from God. He says, ‘Instead of asking others, why does this keep happening to me? We should ask ourselves, why does this keep coming out of me?’ In other words, the problem may be a little closer to home than we would like to admit, but then again, so is the solution.

A tree does not grow on its’ own; it grows within a context and setting. We too, do not grow on our own. We are planted in a setting and within an environment. We are dependent on the temperature of the climate and the condition of the soil. Sun, wind and rain are all factors. We do not control any of those things, but we can control our response to them. In fact, just as God has designed the tree to remain healthy and thus, be able to withstand adversity, we too, have been designed by God to remain healthy and to thereby, resist harsh conditions. We are created to not only survive but thrive.

Guard your heart. Don’t let the hardships and trouble poison you. Don’t let those things change you. You are a child of the Father and His love is in you, and one of the best ways to guard your heart is to keep walking in love. I’ve always been impressed with those who have gone through the harshest experiences and bitter betrayals, and yet have remained tender and sweet. Now, that is the kind of tree that will fill one’s life with bountiful and beautiful fruit forever.

 

Are You Aware of Your Blindspots?

 

Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkens to counsel is wise. 

    It is an unhappy propensity in all of us, that once we decide that we are right about something, we bulldoze ahead, not listening to anyone, or considering what others have to say. This is what the Bible describes as the way of a fool.

    The pathway of the foolish is the course that they are on; it is the habits, patterns and methods that are consistently followed. In the fool’s narrow mind, he is always right. When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, He commanded them to refrain from eating of one specific tree: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Some have suggested that it could be called, the tree of the knowledge of right and wrong. If we are not careful, it is very easy to fall into this foolish way of living; that of making all our decisions based on who’s right and who’s wrong. Years ago, a young married man decided that his wife was not listening to him, so he took her to my pastor friend, and described in detail how she was wrong. My friend quietly listened and then wisely answered him by saying that he could either insist on being right, or he could be married. He was living by right and wrong instead of partaking of a different tree; that of the tree of life. Isn't this our tendency?

    If we think we are right about something, and we may be, we should first, wisely consider what others think. Some people brazenly say, ‘I don't care what anyone thinks.’ While it is true that we do not care what everyone thinks, surely, we care what some people think. I certainly care what my wife thinks, I care what my children think, I care what my coworkers think, and I care what my pastor thinks. There are significant others whom we must wisely consult and listen to before making our big decisions. Another's perspective is essential to a successful life, because we all have blind spots.

    When driving down the road, before we make a left-hand lane change, we check our rear-view and side-view mirrors, but we also sensibly do a shoulder check, because in between those two mirrors is a blind spot. This is how we get into trouble and many collisions take place. We don't discipline ourselves to take the necessary precautions before going ahead. If we want to remain safe, we cannot skip the shoulder check. Listening to another's counsel is like that shoulder check, and wisdom will always lead us to do it. We have seen many things like this happen. We can see the person up ahead begin to make a lane change, and because we are far enough back that we have perspective, we can see that he's going to crash into another car. It is so clear and obvious to the one who has perspective, but not to the one who thinks he's right and blindly moves ahead.

    We can see this same thoughtlessness illustrated when a pedestrian, who has the right of way, foolishly steps off the curb without looking, and is hit by a car. He may have been right; he even had the right of way. The driver was unmistakably wrong, but sadly, in this case, the pedestrian was killed; he was so right, that he was dead right.

    Let's be wise, friends, and slow down and ask the trusted people around us what they think. We may not like everything we hear, because we may learn some unpleasant or unflattering things about ourselves. As we grow older, it is harder to hear those things and change, but a wise and humble person will always do it.