Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
Proverbs 4: 5-8
Our world encourages experimentation. Try this! Try that! There are places in our world where it is good to experiment to find better ways to accomplish goals, or solve problems. Science, education, and medicine are just some of the areas where we can strive to be healthier, safer and wiser. Many terrific ideas and solutions have been discovered through experimentation.
We are always better off to trust God’s word, and to not experiment in ways which go against the wisdom of the scriptures. Every year, the media brings tragic stories of college students who were “experimenting” with excessive drugs and alcohol, with sometimes fatal results. We need to remember that Jesus called our bodies the “temple of God”.
Our culture encourages us to push our limits, but the scriptures encourage abstinence in some things, and moderation in others. As Proverbs puts it, “Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.” Wise words…
I’m convinced that arrogance can sometimes be at the heart of our culture’s desire to push every limit. Some believe that they know better than the Lord, so they ignore His wisdom, and His word.
I believe that many in our world and our culture could use a dose of humility. As Proverbs puts it, “Don’t assume you know it all.” Perhaps that is why dialogue between some opposing viewpoints has broken down in our society: each side of the political divide is so convinced of their views that they refuse to even listen to an opposing view. In truth, we all have things we need to learn, from both God, and one another.
The writer of Proverbs sums up his message to us very succinctly: “Run to God! Run from evil!” It doesn’t get much more to the point than that short statement.
Perhaps Jesus was picking up on the theme of “running to God” when he said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all of these things will be added to you.” What things? Blessings, of course. Some of these blessings may include the promise from Proverbs for those who run to the Lord: “Your body, both spiritually and physically, will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!” What a wonderful promise…
So, to put it quite simply, trust God, rather than our culture’s siren song to experiment with everything. Adopt an attitude of humility, realizing that we don’t know everything. And finally, run to God, and away from evil. Amen!
Prayer
Loving and holy God,
Spiritually running to You is an exercise of faithfulness. Waking up with You daily, and listening to Your voice is an exercise we can train ourselves to do. Help us to find scripture which feeds us. May conversations bless others, and keep us on the path which runs towards You. Give us the discernment to listen, and to be gentle. Allow our voices to be a vessel for You. Allow our ears to hear those who are speaking Your truth, and keep us from straying away from your promises of spiritually wholeness. Thank you, Lord, for your faithful promise to be there at our spiritual finish line. We pray this prayer in the name of Your Son, and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
