Two Next Steps for "Letting Proverbs Read You."

This week was an exciting week as we began our series on the book of Proverbs called "Wisdom for Fools." In introducing Proverbs we learned about the importance of allowing wisdom into your life deeply. You must ask yourself, "Am I just reading Proverbs or am I letting Proverbs read me?" However, it is integral that we approach life, God, Proverbs and almost any situation with a teachable spirit if we are to learn God's wisdom. Without a teachable spirit it is impossible to learn anything. We do well to learn from Solomon the author of Proverbs who said to God in 1 Kings 3:7-9 (NIV)

⁷ "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

Solomon's teachable spirit early in his life allowed God's wisdom to take root in his life and become the wisest leader of his day. Solomon did not just read about wisdom; in fact, he was so teachable he allowed wisdom to read his life (at least early on). If you want to let the Godly wisdom of Proverbs read you and take root in your life here are two "next steps" to help that happen:

1.) "Choose wisely and ask God to open your eyes to his wisdom." Take a lesson from Solomon as he went to God, the author of wisdom, and asked for wisdom. He did not ask for wealth, women, fast chariots or detriment to his enemies...he asked for wisdom. The secret is to ask God who gives wisdom liberally to those who want it. Only wisdom can help you manage life and steward it well. If you want it, ask...you will not be disappointed.

2.) "Practice teachable moments." Children are so teachable. Granted, they don't always listen to their parents, but when the touch the hot stove, what's the first thing they do? They run to their parents in tears to seek comfort in their pain. They know they are deeply dependent on their parents for their welfare and survival. Who do you run to when life hurts? Who do you listen to when life hurts? Do you retreat into yourself? Do you ignore the advice of others? If you continue to harden your heart and not be teachable, both toward God and others, you won't have the humility to recognize God's wisdom. If you want to win in life, practice being teachable. Admit you don't have it all together, because it's obvious to God (and often is to others as well), so there is freedom in making it obvious to yourself.