You're Worth It

This morning I was reading through Proverbs. I had forgotten the wealth of wisdom contained in those pages. I also could not help but laugh out loud at several of the verses. Oh yeah, that's so and so and oh shoot, that's ME!  Solomon had such an insightful grasp on our humanity.  He spoke from experience and certainly had his share of decadent history and wind chasing, but God really did grace him with wisdom, so much so, that I was thinking he would be an intimidating dinner guest. Can you imagine?
I sat quietly and reflected on some of Solomon's running themes. He talked a lot about being quiet and listening, giving to those in need, working hard, accepting discipline, seeking wise counsel, pride, righteousness and finances. So much common sense. Here are just a few of the verses that spoke to me but there were many more.

1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

3:21-26 "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."

11:25 "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

12:15 "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."

15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

16:32 "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city."

25:19 "Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble."

26:17 "Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own."

27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

29:1 "A man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy."

31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

As I read through the pages I was beginning to feel increasingly sinful and inadequate. There was no measuring up to these high standards of following Christ. I was the fool Solomon was talking about! However, thankfully I was not in a place of major self condemnation. I did not feel the Lord throwing any rocks at me. I felt convicted, instructed, taught, and counseled.
The question is, am I teachable? Am I humble? Can I be quiet and listen? Can I be these things and still have confidence and feel valuable? Be bold? Feel like myself? Sometimes, it all gets confusing. But that is not on God. That is not God's way. I can be the quietest person you meet until someone pushes a button, there is some kind of injustice, or passion is rising in me. I am learning and I actually do want to learn. I don't want to be the same person a year from now that I am today. I want to mature and grow and do better. And, I don't believe that it is one or the other. God's instruction is not meant to strip us of who He created us to be. I'm talking about the uniqueness of YOU. You are unlike anyone else on the whole planet and that is the way it is supposed to be. Sitting quietly and being still is not synonymous with being suppressed and oppressed. God's word teaching and counseling us is not synonymous with a ruler being slammed on the desk. These God breathed Proverbs are given out of a deep love because they bring freedom! His instruction always gives life! And in it, I am learning. I am figuring out who I am and where I'm going in Christ. I'm a work in progress. We are all works in progress but we have to be willing and open to change and accept God's teaching in our life. Included in that, and one thing I have been convicted of lately and was confirmed in this morning's scripture reading, is the importance of wise counsel. This does not only mean advice. It includes someone who has prayed for you and asked the Holy Spirit for guidance. It involves people who point you upward to Jesus and can help you see clearly. It is edification. Hope. It is people who want the best for you and what is helpful in building you up. I would rather have a circle of four wise Spirit-led counselors around me than 25 well-meaning self-led advice givers.
It's good to be teachable. It's wise. If you haven't read through Proverbs in a while I would encourage you to get a pen or highlighter and start meditating on it. This is about moving toward progress, not perfection. Ultimately, it is about God's tender and fierce love because He yearns to set us free. You are worth the hard work it takes to change and grow. SO worth it.