God wants to provide guidance for us that we might be able to get through life easier, safer, healthier, wiser, and having built good character. In the Proverb today, the phrase “reproofs of instruction are the way of life” refers to discipline. Our minds sometimes jump to the emotional reactions that come with discipline and we withdraw and wince. But the whole verse conveys a more pleasant picture than painful discipline.
Today's reflection: God prefers that we use the law and commandments as a means of lighting our way so we can easily stay on the path. Ever thought about walking a path in darkness? We naturally are deterred from getting off the path if we can’t see what’s there. Instincts and experience tell us that getting off the path in the dark will get us lost. This is the image God would have us visualize. He would have us fear to get off his path more than fear staying on his path. We have it backwards when we are afraid of where the Lord would lead us. Or fear that we might fall or fail to get there when he is lighting our way.
God’s plan will shed light on only a small section of the path at a time. We seldom visually see to the destination, rather, just the section of the path where we must walk our next steps. God wants us to not become overwhelmed on His path. Take life a few steps at a time. Seek to know the destination, if he allows, but don’t stress about not being there yet.
On our “birdcount” this weekend, my husband and I did some “owling,” (seeking out and counting owls,) in the dark. We park along roads where the habitat is right, and we play a tape, which is a recording of a screech owl’s calls. This is a small owl, usually less than 12 " tall. Several kinds of owls will respond to the tape, hoping to warn the presumed "intruder" of territory bounderies. When we hear them call in response to the tape, we can count them, because we know which owls have which calls. My husband and some of our birding friends cannot hear certain bird calls. This weekend, the little screech owls needed to be very close for him to be able to hear their low, very soft, “bounce call.” To put them on his personal list, he needed to hear them if not see them. So he was patient and listened for them to come in very close. Often, with a flashlight, we can also see them. Sometimes, just after dawn, we get good looks at them. And it’s a good thing, because they seldom call after dawn. In this instance, we stand still and let the birds come to us. Sometimes, when God seems not to be shining his light on our path, his instruction is clear: stand still and listen for his still small voice. Or wait for the dawn, the point in time when he will enlighten the wonders along his path.
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I have wasted a lot of time in my life stressing over not seeing the path in minute detail. I don’t know why it fractures me so, when I know you are in control, to not see all the way down the path to the destination. I know I fail miserably sometimes at taking life in smaller segments. I ask forgiveness for the wasted energy and time that I could have spent joyfully awaiting your light for my path. I could have embraced the silence in this noisy world while listening for your warnings that I am in someone else’s territory. Maybe you called like the little owl, and I had a deaf ear, and didn’t wait for you to draw near, and intently listen. Forgive me, and come close, Lord, and call a little louder, please, like the little owls who heard our recorded call. Most of all, please help me not to be the broken record, like my tape just calling over and over, begging you to come near. When I stop the "tape", help me paitiently listen. Open the eyes of my heart like the dawn, as I search your word, and let the commandments be my flashlight and your law be my morning sun. If all you desire me to have is a look where the tiny focus of the flashlight is aimed, then help me to rejoice in what you are letting me see. Glory to your name. AMEN
For more wisdom read Chapter 6 of Proverbs.
