Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.
Proverbs 3:13
Who love's to be happy? I know I do. I hate days when I'm feeling down or unwell. Or when I'm upset with someone. What about when it comes to family and friends? We want them to be happy too right? We support our children in sports games or competitions. We encourage siblings in reaching their life goals. We reassure friends that are dating. We tell our husbands or wives that it's okay for them to do that or try this.
The haunting question is; is happiness greater then wisdom? Safety? And even your very life?
There life may depend on it
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
What if I told you that only wanting happiness for your friends, family and yourself is a dangerous lie. Would you believe me? Or would you click your tongue and turn on your heel and walk away. Not giving me a second glance?
Have you read any 'Dear Abby' letters lately? A lot of them consist of people sending in a pleading question of concern for a loved one. They would usually end it after telling their story with "...I just want them to be happy." Most the time after reading those letters I mourn for those men and women. They ask for advice for the most obvious answer. No. Sometimes if you see something that someone is doing and it's dangerous and even life threatening you have to say no.
Take for instance a child and his father. The father is casually reading his book and his child is playing around in the yard. The father sees his child is getting close to the road so he sets his book down and attends the child.
" my dear child, please stay away from the road. I don't want to ruin your play time. I just want you to have fun. Keep playing but, be careful."
The child shrugs his shoulders and runs to the road. And a car comes speeding...the child is hit and suffers greatly. Happiness is not the important factor.
Lets take that same scenario and see what it would be like with a father who's most important thing on his mind for his children is to seek wisdom and understanding.
The father is reading and notices his son is getting close to the road. He throws his book down and runs. He yanks his son away from the road and grasps him by the arms fiercely. The child begins to cry more from shock then anything else. The father kneels in front of him and his voice is loud with emotion. "Don't you ever go near the road! There are people who drive cars and they may not see you. You could get hurt. Don't ever go near the road without me or your mother. Understand?"
Which parent actually is showing his love for his child? The one who saved his child from certain death.
The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
Proverbs 4 is a curious chapter to me. The author talks about wisdom as if it were a woman. A living person. For you men reading this. If you love a woman what is the most important thing you want. To have her close to you. To protect her and cherish her. That is what the author is saying. We are to hold wisdom close to our hearts. And understanding. Now don't forget that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We need to be open to God and listen well. If you hear God warning you about something, you better listen. If He is telling you to warn a friend of something their doing could be dangerous. You need to do it. Now, I know that it can be scary to confront a family or friend or even a stranger of something their doing. Don't worry. God is there, He will give you the words to say. Even if they don't accept it. At least they know you care.Just think. If God didn't care, He wouldn't have sent His son to rescue us.
What's most important to you; happiness or God?
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