Day Twelve: Lessons in Wisdom (Proverbs 1)

"'Come and listen to my counsel.
​I'll share my heart with you and make you wise.

Proverbs 1:23, NLT

Gah, Proverbs 1!

There is so much here it's so hard to focus down on just a part of it. As I read these deep, awe-inspiring words yesterday I found myself dwelling on several things:

ONE: Wisdom is available, but I have to set up the appointment.
I have the opportunity EVERY. Single. Day. to sit down with God-- all-knowing God-- and His inspired Word, and soak up wisdom to help me live life to the full.

The tragedy is, so many days I relinquish this opportunity to do other things. Projects. Shopping. Chores.

I'm taken aback at the tragedy of verse 24 which says, "I reached out to you, but you paid no attention."

It's up to me to set up the appointment with wisdom every day. 
Protecting my quiet time.
Reading books about areas I'm lacking in.
Meeting with wise friends, counselors and leaders.

Wisdom is available, but I have to set up the appointment!

TWO: Complacency is for fools.
My repeating problem is this: I see a need, a lack, in my life and so I seek wisdom.
For a time, I'm diligent about praying, asking, seeking, reading, and doing everything I can to find help and relief. 

But then I obtain some level of success...
Financial strain lessens.
My marriage grows stronger.
My project is successful.
..And then I let off the gas.

And some time later I find myself back in the same pickle. Over and over.

And so, I love the insight verse 32 brings to the table: "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency." 

In other words, the moment I am complacent, I become a fool. I should constantly be striving to collect more wisdom, and, consequently growth, in every area of my life.

THREE: Why settle for bitter fruit, when I can have better fruit?
Financial disaster. Family calamity. Anguish and distress. 
This is the fruit of going my own way. 

Proverbs 1:30-31 says, "They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefor they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way..."

Why do I so often settle for this less-than-best life? Especially when God offers His wisdom freely! 

One of my favorite life verses is James 1:5 which says, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you." (NLT, emphasis, mine)

All I have to do is ask? Isn't that incredible! What's more is those verses go on to say He won't rebuke me for asking...

Even if I've already made a disaster of something.
Even if I've been walking in pride.
Even if prayer was my last resort.

Despite my sinfulness, God is "benevolent". Do you know what benevolent means? Neither did I! Apparently another word for benevolent "Big-hearted". And Oh. Em. GEE. how I love that!

Spending time dwelling in the Word stirs my heart to praise and worship God even more. He is so, so good and so much more than I could ever deserve!

Dwelling in Him,