Proverbs 15:21-22

²¹Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. ²²Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Prairie

         What is your idea of Prairie? “Prairie” is the French word for “meadow.” It evolved from the Latin  word pratum which also means meadows. Driving along Prairie highways is boring. Prairie highways are long and straight, and it is almost impossible to see the end of the road. Do you enjoy driving along straight Prairie highways? Yeah! I love it when sunflower and canola are blooming.

         It is not amusing to drive on straight prairie highways. But it’s better to drive on straight highways to reach your destination. It’s faster than driving on zigzag roads. Driving speed on zigzag road is slower than on flat Prairie road. But still, many people love to slowly drive on zigzag roads. Likewise, many people would rather traverse the crooked path of this world and avoid the straight path of God.

Have you personally proven what it admonishes us Proverbs 3:5-6? ⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

         How should we explain to children when it says, “He will make your paths straight?” A straight path is commonly interpreted as without curve or no bend ways. But it is also interpreted as smooth course or avenue without obstacles. The Scripture promises that when we trust the Lord and submit to his control all our ways, including decisions, he makes our path straight without obstacles.

         It’s smart and wise to heed this biblical advice. Spiritual people can discern spiritually the relevance of the word of God in their life, and so, they follow it.

Together, let us seriously reflect on what it declares in 1 Corinthians 2:14, ¹⁴The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

         All Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and we need empowerment of the Holy Spirit to discern its relevance to our life. We need inspiration of the Holy Spirit for us to sense the meaning of the Scripture. The word of God is sensible and significant to believers, but without faith in God, it makes no sense to them.

1.  Sense

²¹Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

         Do foolish people enjoy watching foolishness? Social media are filled with foolish things that make no sense. So, if you want to attract a lot of subscribers, publish insensible articles or foolish videos. Nevertheless, there are still few individuals who prefer to read articles and watch videos with eternal relevance.

         Someone said, “If you indulge in foolishness, you expect foolish reward.”  Somehow, a wise person follows a morally upright and honest path.

Hat

Politics has become popular daily newsfeed topic of conversation. There was a video circulated online about a woman on a train who attacked a man because he was wearing a hat of his favorite politician. He tried to avoid the woman, but the woman ran after the man to grab his hat, and she stumbled on the ground. One comment said,  “Just leave people alone. It’s not hard, but if you don’t, please make sure someone is filming so we can all enjoy these idiots making fools out of themselves. The internet is much better for it.”

         Cameras and video gadgets are everywhere. And activities of people who indulge in foolishness are often documented. It should remind us that the Lord has records of everything we do to be rewarded when Christ returns.

Together, let us reflect on what the Lord declared in Jeremiah 17:10,

¹⁰I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

         We have to be aware always that the Lord is actively recording everything we do. Surely, we have lapses, and we’re easily entangled by worldly desires. But when we realize our wickedness, we should be quick and to repent of it. To repent and acknowledge our shortcomings is crucial to our faith in the Lord.

         God knows that we can be easily entangled in sinful nature, and he knows exactly when we sincerely seek his forgiveness. With forgiveness from God, we can be assured that he will guide us in our steps to successful spiritual journey.

2.  Success

²²Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

         Someone said, “How do you know that you do not know, if you don’t try it?” Another one advised, “Don’t just appreciate the success of others. Get out and explore your path to success!” Do you assume that success is the ultimate goal you should attain? Success without eternal relevance can be worthless objective for Christians. What kind of success are you hoping to accomplish or achieve?

Into the Wild

Have you watched the sickening movie “Into the Wild?” The movie tells a life story of a person who failed to survive his adventure in the wild. Sometime in the early 90s, the man hitchhiked until he reached his dream destination in the wild. He kept a journal of his travel. Accordingly, his journal covered more than 100 days. He found an abandoned bus, and there he lived in for about 113 days.

Sadly, a local hunter, found his remains in a sleeping bag inside the bus.

The concept of “no man is an island” is proven true by what happened to the man who explored living alone in the wild. Successful people have proven that acquiring much timely advices would produce a better desired success.

Let us seriously reflect on what King David said in Psalm 16:7-8, ⁷I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. ⁸I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

King David was successful in all his battles. He had many advisors, but he preferred to listen to the counsel of the Lord for final instructions.

If you have personal computer, you need to upgrade it from time to time. We also need spiritual upgrades. We need to be updated in practical and spiritual life. It is beneficial to embrace worthy advices from other experts. But to seek for spiritual upgrades is more favorable for us, how? We keep learning about God and his ways. God’s ways are favorable to us. Our desire increases to explore more about God and his ways, as we experience that his ways favor us.

Well, everyone is busy exploring and searching for contentment in life. Life on earth offers limited satisfaction. In comparison, unlimited and everlasting contentment can only be found in the unlimited eternal God. Have you proven it?

Again, our human volition prefers worldly attraction. But when the Holy Spirit is active in our life, we grow stronger in our desire to follow the Lord.

How do you personally apply what King David testified in Psalm 119:24?

²⁴Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Have you found delightful to read the word of God? Do you normally read the Scripture for counsel when you have personal struggles in your private life?

When things confuse us and make us anxious, should it remind us that we are very dependent on our human ability and efforts? When we seek help from the Lord and we read his word, most often, we cannot readily imagine the result of what may happen, why? Is it God’s way to test us, if we trust him or not yet?

How do you interpret what it says in Philippians 4:6-7, ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When you are anxious of personal concern, family struggles, studies or problems at work, pray with thankfulness and tell God what bothers you.

When you personally sense his peace, you can personally know that God is actively at work in your situation. You’ll sense peace in your heart and mind.

Do you know how God may solve your problem? We practice faith in God to be still and wait, and he gives us peace of mind and heart. Peace of mind and heart prevents us from being rattled, confused or disoriented despite problems.

Anxiousness or worry, may the peace of God be with us all. Amen!

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