Mind Meld of A Different Kind

Beginning today, we'll select a proverb from one chapter of Proverbs each day for reflection. The selections each of us makes may or may not overlap, but they will be from the same chapter.

PROVERBS 3:17-18

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

Genius

From time to time I do something that really works. To me it can even appear brilliant, and in a somewhat self-sarcastic/self-congratulatory way I will pump my arms in the air and shout, “Genius!” Karen is normally present when I do this and quickly pulls the plug on my inflated ego allowing the hot air to escape as she welcomes me back to reality.

I don’t think it is bad to accept appreciation or a pat on the back when we do something well, it is good to be affirmed. Too many people in my tradition of faith are all about demeaning themselves in a way that reeks of arrogant humility and attention grabbing pity. Accepting affirmation without becoming prideful is harder than pretending nothing you do is good. Saying “thank you” and then praising God for working through you is a better response.

It seems to me the writer of Proverbs pushes us to a healthy sense of self-esteem with a better understanding, everything we do right pales in comparison to God’s righteousness. Not being impressed with my own wisdom means not thinking I am the epiphany of wisdom. Instead, I am to recognize even my best falls short of God.

I praise God for granting me wisdom in making decisions. I also recognize the wisdom of God is what creation springs forth out of. The wisdom of God is my inspiration and source of wisdom. Instead of being impressed with the runoff, I will take inspiration from the stream of wisdom itself: Almighty God.

God of wisdom who gives healing and strength to all who tap into your stream of grace, grant that I may always be looking to you for my inspiration. Help me today to maintain a positive self-image in appreciation of your wisdom at work in me.

PROVERBS 3:11-12
My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the LORD corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Receiving Correction
I’m good at correcting others. After all, I’m a preacher. I teach the Bible and help people sort out truth from error. People come to me for counsel during which I often correct misperceptions and unhealthy relational ideas and practices. I feel pangs of frustration when people are so blind to wise counsel or biblical truth that they reject it.

I wonder if God ever feels frustrated with me? I know Jesus (God!) become frustrated with the dullness of the 12 Disciples. “How long do I have to be with you before you get it!” he barked one day (my paraphrase of Mark 9:19).

Discipline involves shaping a life like a sculptor shapes a piece of wood or rock. Chop, carve, chip, and cut! Ouch. But that’s what God does with me, only with more emotional pain involved. Not only is my life in a shape he doesn’t want, it’s in the wrong shape – a sinful shape. So discipline doesn’t result in change from one legitimate shape to another (as in a rock) but in correcting a bad shape.

So is this guy whom God has called to be an instrument of correction in others’ lives open to correction himself? I hope so. I intend so. I am committed to be so. But when push comes to shove, am I?

It’s all too common for people to become arrested in that know-it-all stage of adolescence. By God’s grace I didn’t. But it’s also easy to get ensnared by the acquisition of knowledge that one only sees the inconsistencies and exceptions in all corrective counsel, and so misses the wisdom in correction. This is my danger.

Father, I want you to shape my life and correct all that is wrong. This is my commitment. So this year grant me the ability to embrace correction, through whatever channel you use, with discernment but not sophistry and with humility but not gullibility. - Mike Leamon