Are You Listening?

Videotaping had not gone well. Between adverse weather conditions and sound problems, recording outdoors had proven challenging. After three attempts, it seemed like I finally had something to work with - until my husband, Steve, pointed out a statement that wasn't accurate. He felt it might offend someone, and the segment should be changed.

Protests began forming in my mind. After spending the better part of the afternoon putting the video together, I cringed at the thought of having to re-do the project. But the thought of conveying inaccurate information with the possibility of offending someone, convinced me to consider Steve's point.

Fortunately, Steve was able to edit the video and remove the inaccurate information, so I didn't have to re-shoot the entire episode.

The Bible has a lot to say about listening to wise counsel and responding to criticism. The book of Proverbs, written by Solomon reminds me, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise," (Proverbs 12:15; KJV). A few chapters later, I'm encouraged to, "Hear counsel, and receive instruction..." so I can increase in wisdom(Proverbs 19:20).

Unfortunately, Solomon's own son, Rehoboam, failed to learn these important lessons. When he began his reign, Rehoboam was approached by the people of Israel with a request - to lighten the harsh labor and heavy burden King Solomon had put upon them. If Rehoboam did as they asked, they would serve him as long as he was their king.

Rehoboam sought counsel. He heard the advice of the older men who had been his father's advisers. They encouraged Rehoboam to speak and act with kindness toward the people. They anticipated that it would gain him the people's loyalty. When he asked for the advice of his peers, they recommended treating the people with harshness and increasing their work load.

Which counsel did Rehoboam choose? The advice of his peers. Ultimately, his desire for power and control cost him the allegiance of Israel (2 Chronicles 10:16). A refusal to listen to wise counsel led Rehoboam to make a foolish decision that had dramatic consequences.

Do you listen to wise counsel? Are you able to accept criticism? You can choose to live according to the words of James 1:19 today, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me to seek godly counsel and to respond to criticism in the right way. Forgive me when I react in pride and choose only what's convenient for me. Help me to be quick to listen, and to use words that please You. In Jesus' name, Amen.  

I Found It!

The perfect outfit. Hard to come by. I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for, and the amount of money I wanted to spend. The search began. My husband's patience amazed me, as he encouraged me to try on one thing after another. From one store to the next, I searched through rack after rack, looking for something that would flatter, provide some fun color, and all at a good price. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No.

With the clock inching toward closing time, I took a few selections into the dressing room. As I slipped into the first suit, I knew I had found the one! It fit, was my favorite color, and wonder of wonders, it was actually on sale! From start to finish, the intense hunt took an hour and a half, but success had been achieved.

There's a valuable lesson here. I was intent on finding something, and willing to spend time and effort to accomplish my goal. I knew it wouldn't be easy, and yet I was determined to search diligently for what I needed. With some effort, I was rewarded with success - I found exactly what I was looking for. The same lesson applies to my time spent with the Lord.

On a daily basis, I need wisdom. Wisdom to use my time wisely. Wisdom to be tuned in to the opportunities God gives me to share Him with others. Wisdom to be the right kind of wife for my husband. Wisdom to encourage my daughter when life gets complicated. But how do I get the wisdom I need to handle each of these situations appropriately? Diligently seeking for it in the pages of God's Word.

King Solomon, the wisest man of all time, was greatly used of God to pen the following words, "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding," (Proverbs 2:1-6; KJV).

When I'm faced with life's challenges and I need wisdom, I must be willing to seek and search for what I need, knowing that it will require effort on my part. The last time I checked, 'treasure' is not something laid out in plain sight. Or easy to find without the help of a map. The same is true of wisdom for many situations in life. It must be gleaned from the pages of the 'treasure map' of God's Word. When I seek after God's wisdom, I'll always find what I'm looking for, with the added benefit of growing closer to my Savior.

No matter what situation requires wisdom, the book of Proverbs shares the results of finding this precious commodity, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her, " (Proverbs 3:13-18).

What situation requires wisdom in your life? Arm yourself with prayer and the Word of God, and be prepared to spend some time mining for real treasure. The precious truths you find will be worth the effort!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom that can be found in the pages of Your Word. Give me a willing heart to spend time digging into Your truth for the wisdom I need today. Thank You for the promise that Your Word contains the answers I need. Help me seek Your wisdom daily. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Big Lesson - Tiny Insect

They appeared on our deck last year in record numbers. More than a nuisance, if not dealt with, they would eventually cause pretty severe damage. Carpenter ants. They seemed to be on a mission. A relatively straight line of them emerged from the far side of the deck and traveled to the downspout closest to the screen room, before disappearing from sight. Where were they going? We needed to find their nest before they turned our house into a feast.

While making a call from our screen room the next day, I noticed one of the pesky ants crawling by the door latch. As I sat and observed for a few minutes, ant after ant marched up out of the thin strip of wood that formed the seal between the doorframe and the door. So that was it! That's where they were coming from! Sure enough, after I snapped my phone shut and investigated further, I saw where the ants had begun making their nest. A quick trip to the garage for some ant killer and the insects were a thing of the past; their home thoroughly doused with pesticide. It felt good knowing that our house was no longer a smorgasbord for these 6-legged creatures.

As I celebrated my victory that day, I was glad I had eradicated a pesky invader. I wasn't in the mood to consider the wisdom of the ant. Yes, you read that correctly. Ants are wise. Such a tiny insect, yet in the book of Proverbs, Solomon points out its wisdom. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest" (6:6-8; KJV).

A lesson in diligence is just waiting to be learned if I observe the ant. Science backs up scripture when it reveals that ants live in highly organized colonies, each ant responsible for a specific job. Some ants are responsible for cultivation of food sources, others engage in warfare, while others function strictly as workers. These ants don't have a boss, yet they carry out their individual jobs without fail. Talk about self-motivation! No need to call in the motivational speakers, these guys don't rely on cheerleaders to get them pumped up. They know a job needs to be done - so they do it!

When food is available, they gather it! No use holding meetings and strategizing about better ways to collect and store the food. Instead of talking about it, they work and accomplish their purpose. What about me? I have a choice to make each day. Will I be productive or give in to the temptation to procrastinate? If I tiptoe after 'Procrastination,' what will be the outcome? Solomon's answer stands in stark contrast to the outcome of the diligent. "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man" (Proverbs 6:9-11).

Put plainly, when I give in to laziness and allow myself to be drawn away from my responsibilities, I'll come up poor and empty. 'Laziness' tries to convince me that I should put off today, what can be done tomorrow. It whispers in my ear that I don't need to spend time in God's word today, because I read an extra chapter yesterday. It convinces me that I don't really need to keep track of my spending because budgets are way too restrictive anyway. When I follow after 'Laziness' I end up discouraged and frustrated. In spite of its allurement, 'Laziness' is not a good friend! Refuse to hang out at procrastinate gate!

Wow, what a big lesson from such a tiny insect! Each one of us has the opportunity to choose our course for this day. Two words that begin with the same three letters, but have very different outcomes. Procrastination or productivity? Which will you choose today? Look to the ant, and be wise!

Do you struggle with procrastination? What helps you to overcome this hurdle? I'd love to hear your tips for staying on track!