Words of Wisdom, Day 1

Scripture: Proverbs 1 (focus on verses 2-4, 7)

Observation: These short sayings, or “proverbs, offer us wisdom, direction, knowledge, and discernment – if we’re willing to listen. 

Application: Anyone else out there struggle with making decisions? My hand is raised. Here’s my least favorite scenario:

Friend: “Where do you want to go to eat?”

Me: “I don’t know; where do you want to go?”

Friend: “You choose.”

Nooooooo! What if I choose Chipotle and you really wanted Chic-fil-a? SO MUCH PRESSURE.

Okay, it’s really not that much pressure. (But, for the record, I really do hate being the person deciding where we’re going to go to eat. If you’re my real friend, don’t make me choose the restaurant. Choose the restaurant for me, please and thank you.)

When it comes to much bigger things – choosing a job, figuring out how to engage in a relationship, deciding what to do in a tough parenting situation, learning how to balance family, work, and passion projects – I often have big decisions to make… and those decisions matter a lot more than what I’m eating for lunch.

In those moments, I’m left asking, “What now?” Maybe you’ve been there. We’re trying to make a decision, so we utilize every resource available: we pray, talk to friends, make mental pro/con lists, spend time overanalyzing every option. And sometimes, we feel like we don’t have any more clarity than when we started. But what if there’s another option?

When we choose to listen to the Word of God, we find this…

“[Proverbs] purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.” (v. 2-3)

Wisdom. Discipline. Understanding.  These are things I want to add to my decision-making arsenal. How about you?

No more trying to figure it out myself. No more assuming I have it under control. No more holding tightly to what I want. Instead, I choose wisdom – the kind that’s graciously extended to us when we trust fully in the Lord.

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (v. 7)  

It all starts with Him, and it all stems from Him. We simply have to decide to trust fully and completely in Him.

Now that’s a decision I’m willing to make. Are you?

Prayer: God, thank you for offering wisdom to us so freely. I pray I can learn to better listen and obey the wisdom you share. Help me embrace wisdom in every part of my life – as a spouse, parent, leader, daughter, friend. Amen.