Taking It to Work:
The new year is fast approaching, and along with it, new year’s resolutions. Some believe in them, some not, but most of us do feel a call to be a better version of our last year’s self. Our devotion today, based primarily on Proverbs, reminds us that wisdom and intelligence are not enough. We need discipline, reproof, and insight – insight into ourselves.
How often have you wondered, “Why in the world did I say that?” or, “I can’t believe I did that!”? It truly is hard to understand our own way, so it’s rare we even try. Why? We get used to ourselves, and we just go about life in a way that seems natural and right to us. It’s just, “Who I am” we might say. Some call it “our wiring”. In most cases, however we explain it, we are sort of “alright” with ourselves. We know we are not perfect, but for most of the year, we consider ourselves fairly wise, and most of the time, wiser than the others around us. Until the new year comes around, and we look at ourselves a little closer.
Solomon was said to be the wisest man who ever lived, and it did not end well for him. Following his passions, emotions, and natural inclinations, he ended up far short of what God had desired for him. Was he truly wise? Well, God said he was, and I’m sure Solomon thought he was, but I wonder what others close to him thought by his actions? I’d be curious, if they would have had permission to do a yearly performance review on their King, if that feedback would have pointed out those shortfalls that would have saved him from his end-of-life ruin. Think about it. He wrote all three of today’s’ scriptures, but apparently, either he never got the feedback he needed, or he didn’t follow his own sage advice.
Our reviews at work gives us a glimpse of things others see in us – things that we may not see in ourselves, and that blindness will hurt us in the end, even with all the wisdom we have gained over the years. It is wise to seek and accept correction from others, especially if you happen to be the boss (360 reviews are great), and thank them for the gift of honest feedback. You may be older, wiser, or in charge, but heeding the insights of others, above, below and beside you, will be a great safeguard for your current, effective leadership, and your legacy, as His Word works through you, today.
Prv 3:11-12 (ESV) – My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Prv 12:1 (ESV) – Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Prv 15:31-32 (ESV) – The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
Can a wise man govern himself? It is not as it seems. Wisdom can decay with temptation – lost vision with emotion of want. Each heart reaches for its own pleasure. Comfort for the difficult day comes with satisfaction of the body – behaviors to satisfy. A loss of temper soothes the sting of another. A smug look satisfies disappointment and disarms those expecting more. Wisdom fades under the weight of stress and weariness. You are blind to such things, and in the workplace, many witnesses see and speak. As the master calls, listen to the wisdom that would perfect you. In review, your hidden weakness is exposed, that it might be reproved and have life no more. Habits of ungodliness are not for the Godly. My children desire reproof, a betterment that only comes through inspection. See clearly what they show you. Do not defend the fault, for he that takes not corrective wisdom, will cover with blind years the wisdom already gained. Seek correction with a humble heart, and greater in My image you will grow.
