Monday, May 12, 2008

• a word from mr. wilson (or proverbs 3)

  david wilson (ie. mr. wilson) emailed me a few weeks back.  he told me for "some reason" God was telling him to tell me to read proverbs 3.  he didn't have any lengthy explanation at why or what God was wanting to tell me, but he passed on the "word from the LORD" and that was good enough.

  i read it that night.  and i've read it several nights since.  just thinking about the words of wisdom found in this chapter of proverbs.  granted, all of proverbs is wisdom.  but what was God wanting me to hear in the midst of my journey.  here's what God has been speaking to me through proverbs 3 the past few weeks:

  there are lots of "live longer" and "look younger" ideas out there.  you can buy cremes and take vitamins and work out, eat healthy, take botox, lyposuction, face lifts and butt lifts, herbal drinks and the list goes on forever.  but God talks about prolonged life and long life in this chapter.  now i'm not a "list" kind of guy.  hate the "3 steps to" and the "4 ways to fix" sermons.  but i found 5 things God mentions in regards to long life.

  • "Do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in your heart" (vs. 1-2).  I think this one goes beyond the long life of this world.  By keeping God's commands it brings an eternal life that lasts to eternity.  His commands are active and alive and require action.
  • "Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD....this will bring health to your body and nourashmint to your bones." (vs. 7-8)  Fear the LORD?  Istn't this contrary to the love and grace and peace and hope that is God?  I think it's more about a healthy fear.  A loving fear.  A fear that isn't about me worrying that this "Police-cop God" is on the lookout and ready to bust me.  But an honoring fear, a humbleness and recognition that EVERYTHING is the LORD's.  He is Creator and Life-giver.  Fear Him!  I'm not afraid of Him, but I do fear Him.  I am a sinner saved by grace and He is holy and perfect.  And that brings health to the body.
  • "Fear the LORD and shun evil....this will bring health to your body and nourashmint to your bones." (vs. 7-8).  Another thing that is healthy to the body is fearing God and shunning evil.  I think it's easy to look at some of the evils of the world and turn away.  But what about the evils in our midst?  The evil of overeating when someone in our town is hungry.  The evil of unacceptance and judgment in churches.  The evil of debt, greed, and overspending.  Do we shun those things?
  • "Blessed is the man that finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding....for long life is in her hands." (vs. 13-16)  Again with this wisdom thing?  What are you trying to tell me here God?  Give me understanding and wisdom!  Wisdom comes from the LORD.  It's not about doing things the world views as wise.  It's usually the opposite- weak are strong, last are first, forgotten are loved.  When we are unwise with the world's standards it most often is in line with God.  And that brings health to the body.
  • "Preserve sound judgment and discernment...they will be life for you." (vs. 21-22).  Yellow flags!!!  Troy doesn't always do this!!!  Rachel helps me with this.  If it weren't for her I'd have been a knife salesman, selling cookware, Rainbow vacuum salesman, etc, etc.  My judgment and discernment often fall a bit short.  Probably the sanguin in me.  Ready to try anything.  Let's do it.  No reason to think about tomorrow.  LORD, give me discernment.  Not just in jobs but in life.  In how I treat my kids, my neighbors, my wife, my co-workers, strangers, my enemies.  Give me discernment in how I live- how I eat, sleep, spend money, give money, talk, think, deal with cancer.

  So the key to long life?  It's not about all the junk I mentioned earlier.  It's not about finding the right doctor to treat cancer.  It's about God.  It's really the only way.  Or should I say the only Way.

  May my life be an offering to Him no matter how long or short it is!  In Christ I pray.  Amen.

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