READING: Proverbs 1:1-4:27
I live in a world of equipping and educating. In fact, I’ve been a seminary professor for 26 years. I served as a senior pastor 14 years prior to joining a seminary faculty. My whole life is wrapped up in preparing others for doing ministry, and I consequently want them to be wise. I want them to avoid foolish mistakes. So, I try, whenever I have opportunity, to teach others.
Proverbs 1:5, though, reminds me today that I, too, must strive for wisdom: “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” The book of Proverbs is designed to impart wisdom, but I suspect many of us tend to think in terms of its imparting wisdom to only the young and inexperienced. They, of course, do need guidance. They do need to listen to those older and wiser than they. On the other hand, they’re not the only ones in need of wisdom.
I need it, too. I assume you do, too. No matter how old we get . . . no matter how many years of experience we have . . . no matter how many people might look at us as wise . . . we still need to add to our learning. We still need to get guidance; we still need to be teachable.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever operate as if you no longer need guidance? Are you still open to others imparting wisdom to you?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, make me—and keep me–teachable.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 5:1-7:27
