Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Proverbs 1:20-33 (NRSV)

Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.
At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,
and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,
when panic strikes you like a storm,
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
would have none of my counsel,
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.
For waywardness kills the simple,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
but those who listen to me will be secure
and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”

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Reflect

What wise words have you received from your mother? What phrases do you recall that have impacted your life? My mother would say, “Make sure to have a little fun every day.” Those words have helped me maintain balance through stressful times, days when it seemed I did not have a spare minute for fun.

She also would remind herself and others to practice inner grace. “I try not to feel bad if I have an overdue library book,” she would say, “It’s really okay. “ She modeled to me the importance of being gentle with myself through personal shortcomings.

In today’s passage Wisdom shared life truths to listeners as well. This passage parallels earlier ones where a father imparts wisdom to his son. Wisdom speaks boldly, sharing ideas that bring life.

The pews of our churches are filled with many wise women. These women care for the church by teaching, cooking, visiting, cleaning, etc. Yet, when nominations for elders and deacons are made, they seldom nominate themselves or their sisters. This is a loss to the church. What would our churches be like if women emulated Wisdom by forthrightly proclaiming truth?

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Pray

Thank you, God, for the wisdom you provide us for life. Give us bravery to share our knowledge and skills with others. Give us eyes to see the talents of others and encourage their wise leadership. Amen.

Go with God.