WISDOM

My mom's favorite thing to write on any card for her kids is this:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

So this morning I was reading Proverbs 3. And it's interesting, the writer says to trust the Lord in verse 5-6 but then continues giving us insight on what that actually looks like for 30 more verses!

Sometimes we think trusting God means doing nothing. But trust is very action oriented and intentional.

Your actions will show who you trust-- whether it's yourself, this world, or God.

Here are a few "actions" I picked up on throughout this chapter that illustrate what it might look like to trust God.

- Focus on Love and Loyalty
- Listen for God's voice in everything you do
- Run from evil
- Honor God with everything you own
- Accept correction
- Hold tightly to wisdom and act accordingly
- Value clear thinking and common sense
- Put other's before yourself
- Don't live in fear
- Live in the present moment
- Don't walk around bitter

Trusting God also means making good choices. Last night I was at a friends wedding and it was beautiful. As people gave beautiful speeches, there was definitely one common theme throughout-- wisdom. This couple had operated with such wisdom and patience throughout their relationship making amazing choices. Their amazing choices led them to that very beautiful wedding day with so many friends and family raving in support.

Good choices may not always be the most popular ones, but they'll always land you where you're supposed to be before wrong choices will. They'll be a blessing and a conduit for a full life, the best life that you were intended for.

I love the last verse in Proverbs 3...

Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.

Here's proverbs 3 to read for yourself. This is Eugene Peterson's message paraphrase. See what you take from it.

This week, let's live wisely.

Proverbs 3//

3 1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
a long life lived full and well.

3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

The Very Tree of Life

13-18 You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,
    when you make friends with Madame Insight.
She’s worth far more than money in the bank;
    her friendship is better than a big salary.
Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth;
    nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
With one hand she gives long life,
    with the other she confers recognition.
Her manner is beautiful,
    her life wonderfully complete.
She’s the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.
    Hold her tight—and be blessed!

19-20 With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth;
with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface,
and dew to descend from the night skies.

Never Walk Away

21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
    don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They’ll keep your soul alive and well,
    they’ll keep you fit and attractive.
You’ll travel safely,
    you’ll neither tire nor trip.
You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry,
    you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
    or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
    he’ll keep you safe and sound.

27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
    your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time”
    or “Try me tomorrow”
    when the money’s right there in your pocket.
Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
    when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

30-32 Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
    always spoiling for a fight.
Don’t try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.
    Why be a bully?
“Why not?” you say. Because God can’t stand twisted souls.
    It’s the straightforward who get his respect.

33-35 God’s curse blights the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
    but if you’re down on your luck, he’s right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honor;
    stupid living gets the booby prize.

Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

The Very Tree of Life

19-20 With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth;
with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface,
and dew to descend from the night skies.