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You can now find me here:

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You Don't Know What You're Missing!

As I looked around wildly, my heart rate increased, my vision became blurry, and sweat appeared on my face.  Pain shot down my arm as my stress level rose to its limit.  I gripped the wheel tightly, thinking, “There is not even a good place to turn around nearby!” 

This morning did not feel any different than other morning.  Gavin exits the house to get on the school bus, shower, brush teeth, dress, kiss Kim goodbye, etc.  Nothing felt wrong.  I sped away from the house, hoping to make it through the school zone BEFORE the yellow lights began flashing.  As I waited at a traffic light, I thought, “Where’s my phone?  I need to check in on the world, and make sure that everyone made it through the night without my help.”

Console...  Seat...  Back pocket...  Front pocket... No phone...

Wait!!  NO PHONE?!?!  Panic!!  How can I make it five minutes without my phone?!?!  Anyone who knows me at all, knows that my phone is always with me.  In fact, there is a Bible verse about our relationship.  ‘...so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

How had I managed to leave it at home?

1.  I varied from my normal routine.

I have a habit of keeping my ‘pocket items’ together in one place.  When I go to bed, I ensure that the following items are in order for the morning:  wallet, keys, phone, wedding ring, watch, & pen.  (What a nerd!)

However, last night, as I came home from the gym, I realized that I had left my wallet in the truck.  Rather than retrieving it right then, I made the decision to leave it there, since I would be getting right back in the truck this morning.  As a result, I subconsciously knew that some items would be missing from my pockets this morning, so I was not concerned with the incomplete feeling.

2.  I did not inventory the most important things.

Though I knew I was not following my normal routine, I did not take the extra time to inventory the important things.  It is impossible to maintain control of the important things if you do not know where they are.

I was missing something vital to the productivity of my day, but in my rush to ACHIEVE, I was totally unaware of its absence.  

If we do not maintain control of the important things, we can move through life and simply not know what we are missing.  It happens more frequently that we would like to admit.

In our marriages...  With our children...  Our relationship with God...

And, as with me this morning, nothing feels wrong!  I did not know what I was missing until I NEEDED it.  

Each valuable item in our lives has a purpose.  It might not be useful to us in the current moment, but there will come a day when we need it desperately.  There are people, relationships, and commitments to God, that may just seem like another routine or ritual today, but their absence could prove to be devastating.

Stop what you are doing and inventory your life, your marriage, your relationship with God.

In your rush to achieve, is it all there?  Do you have everything?  

Do you know what you are missing?

How Do You Like Them Apples?

Whether you are a Christian or not, there is no debate regarding the cultural relevance and value of the book of Proverbs.  Solomon, the principal author, known as the ‘wisest man to walk the Earth’, gives the reader relevant, culturally applicable principles which can positively benefit any life to which they are applied.  

In reading Proverbs 1 this morning, I was impacted by the power of this passage regarding individuals Solomon describes as ‘Scorners’ and ‘Fools’.

Proverbs 1

22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

According to this verse, Scorners, or Cynics, LOVE to mock others.  Nothing makes a critical person happier than mocking the efforts, strengths, successes, and failures of others.

I mean, they really love it.  It makes them happy!  How happy?  To reference the recent research conducted by the theological seminary, Geico, “Happier than a slinky on an escalator.”  If you have not seen this commercial, here is a link.  Enjoy!  Geico - Slinky On Escalator

A critical individual can find fault with anything, but the enjoy mocking the success of others most.  It makes them feel better about either their lack of achievement, or the shallowness of their own heart.

In the same verse, we see that Fools hate knowledge.  Knowledge reveals the insufficiencies of the foolish.  Therefore, they avoid knowledge lest they realize the state of their own life at all costs.

Typically, ‘Fools’ and ‘Scorners’ share the same name, address, and Social Security number.  :)  

In the same chapter, verse 31 states:

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them,and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Those who repeatedly refuse to be changed and enlightened by the power of God’s word will be scorned by God when their trouble comes.

Don’t get me wrong, God is loving, merciful, just, and kind.  However, there comes a point when after His repeated efforts to engage our lives are declined by us, He leaves us to our own devices.

Or, as Proverbs 1:31 states, “Eat the fruit of their own way.”

Essentially, God says to 'Fools' and 'Scorners', to quote another widely known theologian, “How do you like them apples?”

The simpler solution is to listen to the voice of His wisdom as He leads our lives in a direction which is best for Him, us, and those close to our lives.  

The benefits of following God’s plan for our lives are summarized in the final verse of this chapter.

Proverbs 1

33 But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.

If you’re listening, you’re in good hands.