Today we read the second half of Proverbs 3, which is really like a hymn more than what’s in the first half, which reads more like the classic Proverb literature.  This section is littered with ideas that we could latch onto and talk about, as with the rest of Proverbs, but what really sticks out to me are 2 little ideas - this idea that living in wisdom gives us a clear conscious, and that we shouldn’t withhold blessing from others when we can give it.

On this first idea, here are the verses I am referring to:

21 My son, do not lose sight of these—

keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 and they will be life for your soul

and adornment for your neck.

23 Then you will walk on your way securely,

and your foot will not stumble.

24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror

or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

26 for the Lord will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being caught.

As I am thinking about this, I love this idea that living in wisdom will create a clear mind of us, a sense of peace.  I know from my own experience that when I live according to MY desires and what I can JUSTIFY for myself, I tend to veer of course and I do things I regret, or I buy things I don’t need and experience that buyers remorse...all sorts of stuff like that.  But when I live in wisdom, when I live my life asking that question from yesterday, “Right here, right now, what’s the WISE thing to do?”, I tend to live guilt-free.  I experience that sweet feeling from v24 when I lie down, I don’t feel that terror when it comes...and it WILL come, I love how the writer says that in v25.  This is just a great insight.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,

tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

Here in these 2 little verses are an idea that speaks a little to what really stuck with me yesterday, this idea of being generous with the first fruits of everything I have, including my time, money, energy, etc...all of it.  Today, the author stresses that it isn’t just to God that we should give, but that our giving should be to our neighbor; to others.  In the New Testament, we see Jesus teach this idea that giving to God IS giving to others, that others are our vessel for showing our appreciation for what God’s done in our lives.  This theme goes back 1500 years to Proverbs even.  We should act on that nudge that we feel to do for others.

Today, in that vein, I am going to do something I have done before, but I will do it again...I am going to swing through Starbucks for coffee right after lunch (right after I take my daily 15 minute nap after lunch...my recharge power nap), and I am going to ge the tab for the next person in line.  Then, as I am drinking my coffee, I am going to take a few minutes and pray for that person/family.  It is a small way to get my heart open to serving others.