What verses linger with you from Proverbs?
I want to reflect on what it means to try not to figure out everything on my own but to run to God (3:5), to guard my heart (4:23), to write His Word on the back of my hand and awake and get ready for Him each morning (7:4), to not explode in anger but shrug off insults and stop letting people know they annoy me (12:16), to know that I can laugh and ache at the same time without hypocrisy (14:13), to remember that God doesn't miss a thing (15:3), to overlook an offense and bond a friendship (17:9), to see a Powerful Advocate at work every day (23:11), to not work myself into the spotlight (25:6), to not call attention to myself (27:2), to know what it means that my face mirrors my heart (27:19), to never whitewash my sin (28:13), and to live clothed with strength & dignity and face tomorrow with a smile.
The unexamined life isn't worth living. These verses strengthen my resolve to want to be holy. There is so much hope for our sin. "With God's help, I shall become myself." S.K. "Continue asking your questions. They are good. But stop demanding answers. Live those questions long enough in My Presence until you run out of words. You will then catch a brief glimpse of who I AM that will seal your lips."
Are my lips sealed? There is only a God-shaped life (Prov 11:28), "a narrow road that exposes foolishness, crushes arrogance, whets appetities for holiness, releases love, and fills with hope." 66LL. There is so much hope for our sin. Deeply encouraged as we close the pages of this book on this Narrow Road.
A perfect life?
ReplyDeleteThere is no way. But I can look to the Narrow Road to find my way to God's wise and contented destination for my life.
It is not an easy path. I must be wary of wicked hearts who despise my good. And I must remember those who are needy. Sometimes I will be faced with adversity, but if I will trust God, He will direct my path. I must run to Him when I fall short and confess my sins. That is where I will find mercy.
Lord, may I always live in the Fear-of-God and honor You by being a good woman. I choose God's Way and not my way.
Proverbs has been a magnifying glass to expose some hard-hearted sin within me. It shows me again how desperately I need a Savior each moment, how completely I fail on my own.
ReplyDeleteFrom 66LL, "Most people who claim to follow Me expect to dance before they tremble. It cannot be done…Continue asking your questions. They are good. But stop demanding answers. Live those questions long enough in My Presence until you run out of words. You will then catch a brief glimpse of who I AM that will seal your lips." Running out of words for someone who loves words is an “A-ha!” place. He’s so much bigger than we can grasp. Just a glimpse and we’re awestruck. Shhh…be still and know.
I’m so thankful that our journey to wisdom in Christ is “not about climbing the ladder of perfection but about embracing one’s wounds and finding the transforming power of God in them.” (Henri Nouwen) What I walk away with is not about perfection but a glimpse into the path of the "God-shaped life,” (Proverbs 11:28) the narrow road that exposes foolishness, crushes arrogance, whets appetites for holiness, releases love, and fills with hope.” (66LL)
I never tire of reading the Wisdom shared in this book. I have to be honest, I like the NIV version a little better, because of the wording. It must be from my upbringing, because I would have had my mouth washed out with soap if I used that kind of language. Just a little rough around the edges. But, I still loved starting my day with you all!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, everybody. I'm excited to spend some "Meghan time" with my daughter who is coming home to Michigan from New York just to play with me! I also have one more week with my son home from North Carolina, so this time is precious!
xoxo
Annette, I so agree with you. Running out of words in His presence. What a visual that is! One thing for sure...the comparison of the two types of lifestyles simplifies the choice we must make if we follow our Good God. He wants us faithful to Him, to our spouses, He wants us caring towards each other, especially those who are in need. He wants us to recognize a fool, wh*re, leech, etc., and be wise in how we deal with those kinds of people. He wants us to be busy and not lazy. To me, He doesn't leave much out about how we are to act as God's people.
ReplyDeleteAng, I am wishing you a very lovely time with your daughter and your son. You should look for a Pinkberry.