In reading Proverbs 4 this morning, I am reminded that I could literally do a journal entry on about every pair of verses in each Proverb...I mean, these writing are just LACED with truth, and with quotable stuff.  It is a playground for us a readers of God’s Word.

One of the lines that really jumps out at me is this the first line of verse 7: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom”.  From my study Bible, it says this:

The first line, literally is most likely translates this as a blunt way of saying: ‘What it takes is not brains or opportunity, but decision. Do you want it? Come and get it’ (‘it’ being wisdom).

That’s awesome.  One thing about wisdom is that it is almost taught to us, through subconscious messaging, that wisdom is something you get from deeply learning and understanding the Bible.  We can catch this notion that scholars are needed in order to teach and message things for us.  The Catholic Church has installed a message-getter into their entire religious system in the Pope (not picking on Catholics, just illustrating a point).  In reality, I don’t think God set it up that way...God is approachable, and God is personal.  If you go looking, you’ll generally find Him.  For instance, yesterday I wrote about needing to create margin and space in my life for God and for others, and I declared that yesterday I would leave a lot of my to do list undone for the sake of creating that margin.  It wasn’t an hour later, I got out for a nice 30 minute walk, no music, and ended up having some time for reflection.  I really did sense God in that moment, and I could hear Him saying, “See, take a few minutes, relax, create some space, I then there is room for me in your life...and here I am”.  I walked and prayed while I was walking and it was just a great little moment.  It was subtle, but it was exactly what I needed.

And that brings me to the second pair of verses that really jumped of the page at me this morning, here in v18-19:

18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

In my spiritual journey, these moments when I encounter God have been these subtle moments...like that warm sensation as the sun rises and hits your skin.  It is just a tinge of warm, just enough to feel it if you are in a place to be able to do so.  Wisdom is like that too...when I am in a good place mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, I can usually just have this sense of, “Ah, I think this is what I need to do”; I think most of us have had that.  My experience has been that this sense is like a muscle...when I ignore it several times in a row, I stop sensing it as easily.  Then I have to work to get back to it.  We need to act in order to keep that muscle sharp and sensing.

And, lastly, verses 25 through 27 are three of my favorites: 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

The message of this verse is so strong and so clear - look straight ahead, as there are distractions in all directions around us.  Keep your field of vision squarely out front of me, on what God has called me to...to my unique role in this world.  And watch where I step, because there are struggles, there are traps, and there are challenges.  Trouble is lurking when we start looking around.  Our bodies will follow our field of vision...let God guide that.