Embracing Our Ignorance

October 25

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Proverbs 19:20

It had been a week since George’s near-fatal heart attack when Jean announced, “It’s really nice outside Honey. I think I’ll go mow.”

“Awww, that’s really nice of you.” George replied, genuinely appreciative of his wife’s offer. He was also keenly aware that she’d never driven the riding mower. So, deciding to offer some advice, he began, “Let me give you some advice about the mower…”

“I can handle it,” Jean insisted.

“But you need to…”

“But nothing!” she quipped, effectively cutting him off. “Don’t worry about me. If I can’t handle a simple task like mowing the lawn there’s something terribly wrong,” she declared, and headed for the garage. A few minutes later Jean appeared riding the mower, wearing a triumphant smile. Shaking his head, George watched her go.

Two laps into her ‘simple task’, she noticed their next-door neighbor watching her from the edge of the yard. Let him watch she thought. He’s probably amazed that I know what I’m doing! But as she drew closer, the look on his face caused Jean an inexplicable doubt.

As she approached the spot where he was standing, he calmly waved to her to stop.

Jean pulled up, and shut the mower off.

“I don’t want to overstep my bounds or burst your bubble,” he began, “but the mower works better if you put the mower deck down, and engage the blades.”

†

Jean’s actions illustrate how our hearts can be in the right place and we can still be wide of the mark. Good intentions are not enough to ensure success.

God, through Solomon, urges us to listen when wisdom speaks. Our general response to His instruction is that we don’t readily admit to ignorance; it grates on our pride to admit we are not omniscient.

Regardless of the reason for our refusal to admit we don't know it all, the consequences of rejecting wise advice or instruction can, at the very least, leave us embarrassed and facing unnecessary challenges. At worst, our arrogance will find us paying a high price for our attitude of pride.

God leaves us this choice: Listen and learn, or suffer the consequences.

Prayer

“Lord, I want a heart that doesn’t shun advice and instruction. Help me listen with the intent to learn and become wiser. Amen.”

 What Do You Think About?

October 24

For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

The potter took the lump of clay and plopped it down in the center of the turntable. As he moved his foot the wheel began to turn slowly and gradually built momentum. Unhurriedly, he worked the malleable mud with skillful hands, compressing it into a symmetrical ball that could be molded to his imagination.

When the consistency and form were just right he gently squeezed and pulled upward and outward, opening the clay, stretching it to make a hollow in the center, all the time conscious of the image in his mind.

He wet his hands once again and reached deeper into what was now a small urn. Gently, pulling with both hands, one inside, one outside, he raised the walls until they formed a beautifully slender vase over a foot tall. He moved his foot faster, increasing the rotation of the wheel. He next used a fluting tool to carve recesses and decorative lines in the vase, pressing the tool against the vase while supporting it with equal pressure from inside.

A smile crept over his face as he took stock of his work, for he was looking at the exact representation of the image he’d formed in his mind. All that was left was to fire the piece, transforming it into the priceless heirloom he envisioned it to be.

†

The word ‘imagination’ in the Greek means ‘A forming of.' The potter first had to imagine and visualize what he wanted to create. He had to see it in his mind’s eye before he could create it in the physical.

In Luke 6:45 Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart. The evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

Our mind is the force that brings things from the spiritual into the physical. What we think about matters because, as today’s text says, our thoughts occupy the recesses of our heart and will be expressed in physical actions.

Prayer

“The truth is that I don’t always consider whether my thoughts are pleasing to You, Lord. Help me to be mindful of what occupies my imagination. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 From The Outside

October 23

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

Stan and Jennifer had been married forty-eight years, today. In the span of almost five decades resided the memories of events that could have ended what was now a wonderful and endearing romance.

Many times Jennifer would have been justified in leaving. As a matter of fact, many of her closest friends, and even some of her family, had suggested she do just that.

But Jen, as Stan was fond of calling her, never considered it an option. She’d meant and intended to keep the vows she’d taken at the wedding altar.

Stan, honest about his lack of commitment in the early years, gave her credit for “hanging in there when it didn’t make a lot of sense.” He readily admitted to his reckless and wild ways. “Jen taught me a lot about love and forgiveness. Truth is…” he paused, reflection showing on his face, “I’da left me a long time ago, but Jen…she could see somethin’ I couldn’t.” Here, he chocked up, “She’s as much the reason as God that I’m standin’ here today. Had she left I’m not sure I would have cared enough to change.”

Watching them, as they lovingly held hands, it was easy to see what Jennifer saw was worth fighting for. Her commitment had given her vision, vision with perspective and hope.

†

In The Shack, William Paul Young writes, grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside.

It’s easy for those on the outside to judge and ridicule, even going so far as to encourage separation and divorce because they wouldn’t tolerate such glaring and unjust behavior!

With a godly perspective we, like Jen, can see something worth fighting for.

Grace is unmerited favor…given to someone who does not deserve it…given when we rarely feel like giving it. We must, as Paul exhorts, hate the evil part, giving it to God, and cling to what is good!

Grace and commitment are hard work.

God set us an example of grace and commitment. His Name is Jesus.

“Prayer”

Thank You for Jesus, Father. Help me to always extend grace instead of withholding it, and help me remain committed when it would be easier to cut and run. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Taking Safety Measures

October 22

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men…

Proverbs 2:12

These would be the most unique wind chimes the craftsman had ever constructed. He had decided to make teardrop clappers to give them character; it would also make the copper tubes resonate a higher quality of sound than was typical.   

Positioning the block of hardwood in the lathe, he snugged the handle one last time and rotated the wood by hand. It spun true so he turned the machine on. With the wood spinning at 8,000 rpm, he took a roughing chisel and began rounding off the edges.

Realizing he wasn’t wearing his face shield, the craftsman shut off the lathe and walked to the tool rack to get it. The shield was not in its place. His search of the basement was unsuccessful. Not wanting to wait, he decided to proceed without it. 

Snugging the block once more he turned the machine back on. Suddenly, the three pound block of wood became a projectile. It was hurled from the spinning lathe, striking him squarely in the mouth. The force of the blow split his lip to his nose, while severing three teeth at the jaw line. 

Cosmetic surgery would be required to repair the badly damaged lip, and the dental work would take three months to complete, requiring extractions and bone grafts to rebuild the jaw prior to replacing the missing teeth with bridges. 

†

Many of us foolishly tell ourselves that accidents only happen to other people, and ask God “Why me?” when calamity knocks on our door. The truth is bad things happen to all of us. While optimism is a good thing, denial will eventually cause us pain.

Although there is no guarantee, had the craftsman taken time to locate and use the face shield, serious injury might have been avoided.   

In this same way spiritual injuries can occur because we fail to take measures that could prevent them. Asking for additional help is not an admittance of weakness. It is a sign of wisdom. 

God wants to provide us with the needed protection but it’s up to us to ask for and use it in our lives.

Prayer

“Lord, I don’t always make wise choices. Please give me the wisdom to turn to You for help prior to the calamities of life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Burden of Friendship

October 21

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Now in their eighties, Jane and Dorothy had been best friends since early childhood. During that time both had faced challenges. As close friends, they had shared each other’s burdens through the storms of life.

Recently diagnosed with liver failure as a result of an aggressive case of diabetes that had already left her blind, Dorothy was in need of Jane’s assistance once again. The inability to keep food down had taken its toll on her already fragile body. The overwhelming nausea and increasing weakness only exacerbated the situation. Today was an especially rough day.

“Oh, Jane…” Dorothy wept. “I don’t think I can take this any more...”

As true friends do, Jane attempted to encourage Dorothy, “I know, Hon, just hang in there. We’ll get through this.”

Weary of it all, Dorothy said, “Do you think I’m going to die, Jane?”

Jane adamantly asked, “Do you want to?!”

The straight-forward question elicited a revelation…Dorothy wasn’t ready to see Jesus face to face just yet. “No…!” she responded emphatically.

“Then fight for life until the Lord takes you home!” Jane urged her friend.

†

Close relationships are rare because true friendships venture to places acquaintances know nothing about. It’s been said that true friendship begins when you are willing to share your secret joys and intimacies as well as your obvious sorrows. Lifelong friendships are a gift from God.

The burden of friendship is a matter of will because to love selflessly, places equal importance on a friend’s needs while we ourselves are facing hardship. True friendship is not inherent, otherwise God, through Paul in today's text, would have no need to instruct us.

As today’s text illustrates, carrying each other’s burdens is our Christian responsibility. It blesses God when we place a premium on the needs of others. Amazingly, when we carry each other’s burdens we find that we ourselves are the recipient of God’s blessings. This is the nature of reciprocity; give and it will be given unto you (Luke 6:38).

Prayer

“Father, help me to be mindful of those around me who need my help. Give me discernment so I can minister Your love where it is needed. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 A Season of Harvest

October 20

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Matthew 9:37

Ben paused to listen as the October winds rustled the corn stalks, thinking, I love this time of year!

His tooth-revealing smile, hidden behind a camouflage mask, testified to the depth of fulfillment he was experiencing. The explorer inside was being unleashed! The explosion of color! Clear, crisp air, and such fiery sunsets! It’s hard to imagine anything more beautiful than this river valley!

Ben always felt closer to God when he ventured into the woods. Here he could see God’s handiwork. He could almost hear God pronounce, “You were meant to have dominion over this. Take good care of it; this is practice for your future home.” He was moved by the variety of wildlife and brilliant foliage.

Ben had been a bowhunter for over thirty years. In the sphere of three decades he’d spent thousands of hours in the woods; here he was aware of a godly connection he rarely sensed anywhere else.

Ben considered himself a good steward of nature. He hunted because he enjoyed it, yet he also knew that maintaining the animal population was necessary because of the limited carrying capacity of the surrounding countryside. Even more treasured than being entrusted with this responsibility was the sense of God’s looming presence as he sat silently, watching this wonder-filled world within a world unfold before him.

†

Consider this parallel to the seasons of our lives: winter...God cleanses us through understanding; spring…He brings renewal; summer…God propagates and grows the planted seed; fall...our mature fruit is revealed for the purpose of sharing!

There is significance in each. But fall is when the sickle is put to the crop.

As we look about, we see those who have not yet named the Name of Jesus. They may be in the fall of their lives, not because of age, but because their time to decide is running out.

God says to each of us, “Take time out of your schedule to experience the Spirit of this season. Then go to the harvest fields!”

Prayer

“Cleanse my life, Lord, renew a right spirit in me, propagate the seeds You have planted, and mature the fruit in my life that I might be prepared for the harvest. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

 Being Prepared

October 19

I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 46:17

Jo had grown up on a farm. She toiled alongside her brothers in the fields, picking up rocks or bailing hay. Returning to the house in late afternoon she helped mom bake bread, cookies, and cupcakes. The Shipley house was full of love.

But one thing the Shipley's didn’t have was indoor conveniences. The outhouse was twenty-six steps out the back door. This wasn’t something Jo would come to appreciate until later in life.

Every day she pitched in to help around the farm to get things to market. To Jo it was just her way of life, even if physically demanding. But they had been happy days; swimming in the fishing hole on a hot summer day after chores were done, or ice-skating on the pond between the house and the hayfield when the ice was thick enough.

Never as a child could she have foreseen how God would use these experiences to win souls for His Kingdom.

A missionary/English teacher, Jo now lived in some of the most underdeveloped places in the world. Her labor-filled childhood, along with the family’s lack of indoor plumbing had prepared her for the conditions she ministered and taught in. Because of her hard working, simple lifestyle Jo was able to identify, and as she shared her childhood homelife she found herself widely accepted.

†

The preparation Jo received at home on the farm made all the difference in her ability to relate and understand. She was grateful for having learned to live a simple life. Because of that she felt a closer bond, found herself able to share God's love easier, and as a result, led many people to the Lord.

God knows what He’s doing with us as well, although many times we whine about the task at hand because we fail to see the bigger picture. Yet everything we do today will prepare us for the work of tomorrow. Today’s text tells us that if we allow Him, God will order our steps. If we permit Him to prepare us we can then reach out to others with kinship and understanding.

Prayer

“Lord, teach me what I need to know so that I might serve You well in this life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”