Proverbs 03 – have strength, use it
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.Proverbs 3:27 from New International Version (NIV)
There are a couple levels people can and do read this verse.
- surface – it can be the justification for “helping” everyone “in need” that one comes across, even at the detriment of yourself.
- deeper – an understanding that we cannot help people unless we are strong enough to give. This might reduce what you have, or it might not, but understanding that this is not a verse calling for you to give *all*, even your own life where you will then be dependent on others to survive.
In other translations, and the following verses, it makes it clear this is talking about say you have borrowed a tool from your neighbor and he asks for it back, give it to him, don’t make him wait. Also, don’t assume a perceived need, like just because someone does not have health insurance, that they *need* or, a step farther in this verse, *deserve* it.
Also, understand, the power to act is basically saying that you can … sometimes we desire to help someone, we want to donate money to a cause, we want to volunteer for a great cause, and from one viewpoint we have the power to act, yet in another view point … we could damage our ability to act on other cases that are more important that we act on.
Part of the Proverbs Challenge series
Proverbs 04 – open with restrictions
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.Proverbs 4:23 from New International Version (NIV)
There are two extremes that individuals tend to take:
- free love – and an open book for all to read, or take a page from
- rock solid fortress
Guarding implies neither, yet somewhere in between. I know this is something I have struggled with, leaning to one side & not the side that everyone who I have encountered would expect, for it depended on the relationship. A symbol of openness has always been a part of my life, but it was not always true. What I am striving for, and what I see the verse really promoting is a few things:
- your heart is valuable & needs to be protected from outside forces that would poison it
- your heart is what is to be used to provide good to the world or others around you
If we lived this way, we would either
- end up with less pain and scars from people who would take advantage and damage our hearts
- connect & help more people on a deeper level
That type of world would be a great step to take.
Part of the Proverbs Challenge series
Proverbs 05 – chain learning
You will say, “How I hated discipline!
If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
…”Proverbs 5:12-13 from New Living Translation
Extreme or major accomplishments/defeats tend to not be due to one action, decision, or event. Success might be defined as setting a goal and achieving it, yet a successful life, or a business success, or an overnight sensation tends to be due to lots of little events.
A line of wins and losses that build upon each other to a defining instant.
Discipline take a pre-decision, or a decision before an action and that is the key stated here and that we all miss on many occasions.
Why have I not listened to my teachers, mentors, or instructors?
Many reasons, might have been I did not see the relevance of the topic, I did not care about the knowledge, or I had other priorities.
Part of every decision is the self motivation, the wants, desires, dreams, goals, and fears within me. Part of it is my knowledge and how I see the world.
If I listened to the wisdom, and learned from the experience of others more … I am not sure it would help a whole lot. There has to be another step, I cannot just understand what is presented, I have to better understand the world around me, myself, and anything else key to a deeper understanding (topic specific info).
Sometimes that involves just doing the little things, or making that decision (being discipline) in the little things.
Sometimes that involves going slower – so you are less likely to ignore *all* the warnings.
Sometimes that involves listening to teaches and mentors.
Sometimes that just means paying attention to the world around me, as opposed to where my mind, body, or soul wants to take me.
Just like with every life, you cannot gain a full appreciation of what caused someone to succeed or fail in a moment by a five word answer, you also cannot reach your full potential without doing the little things every day & building upon the experience and actions of others, while avoiding your personal potential paths to destruction.
Part of the Proverbs Challenge series
