As we kick off our Read Proverbs 8 times in 8 weeks Challenge I wanted to pass on a Proverb that I uncovered this week. I think it speaks to our theme and to wisdom…
Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24 NLT
As we walk places with the kids, I’m amazed how many weapons, toys and treasures they find among the rocks, sticks and trash we walk by. I’m thinking about a time a couple of weeks ago (when it was warm enough to walk!) when we were walking a block or so from our house. We were going to pick up some sour cream for mommy, and I had in mind to get some ice cream…in addition to the sour stuff.
As everyone bounded out the front door, they were entranced by the sticks that were laying on the ground. They miraculously turned into swords. As I was walking and telling them that if they kept up with me, there would be a treat. Well, they dropped the sticks and started running. In fact, on the way home, I think I finished in last place again.
The kids are catching on. In times past, they would have kept poking along having fun with the sticks…but not moving forward…and not getting to that treat any faster! But they didn’t care…they were having fun with the sticks. Well, now they are gluing their eyes on the treat…not to sticks.
I think this relates to me…more than just in my parenting. Our eyes are drawn by so many things. We watch a teleVISION. Billboards are posted everywhere. Images are carefully crafted to cause emotion…for us to buy things or to eat things or to think a certain way about things. It is really easy for our eyes to wander.
For example, my father-in-law went to the Auto show in Detroit last weekend. He brought home a couple of the magazine/books with the new model cars in it. I was leafing through them and it wasn’t long till my thoughts ran toward wanting something other than our current Escort Wagon and 7 passenger van.
Many things are calling for your eyes. LOOK AT ME…they scream. Wisdom doesn’t seem to yell quite as loud. But where we put our eyes is where we run…
Consider this verse again…
…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus… Hebrews 12:1b-2a NLT