The Fool's Way

"The way of fools seems right to them,

but the wise listen to advice.

Fools show their annoyance at once,

but the prudent overlook an insult. . .

The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,

but a fool's heart blurts out folly."

Proverbs 12:15,16,23

No one wants to be called a fool.  The word usually conjures up images of a jester wearing a silly hat and going to great lengths to get a laugh or a goofball who no one respects but sets a good example of what not to do and how not to live.  Neither of these figures are to be emulated.  If I want to avoid such folly, I'd be wise to pay attention to these proverbs.

Self-righteous.  It is said that a man who represents himself in a court of law has a fool for a lawyer.  It's impossible to see myself and the situation I currently find myself in a completely objective manner.  As a human, I'm naturally biased in one way or another.  Furthermore, my judgement is tainted by sin, making my ability to evaluate my own motivation for purity, or my choices for wisdom, or my state of being for decency.  In my own mind, the reasons I do things may seem virtuous, the decisions I make look sensible, and my emotional condition appears to be perfectly healthy.  Then I get an outside opinion and find out I'm off.

If I only depend on myself for judgments, I'll be off-course and not even know it.  It's easy to stray when using only my own sense of direction for guidance.  This is why explorers and back-country adventurers use a compass because it's easy to get lost when there is nothing by which to judge.  I need a standard, a tool to find my bearings, an objective estimation of where I am.  God is this immovable, righteous and holy standard.  He is the "true north" by which I can always gauge my direction of travel, and only He can accurately judge the state of my heart.  I must be willing, however, to accept godly advice from other humans because many times He uses people to deliver His warnings, guidance and help.

If I think I already know the answers I'm a fool and will never listen to the wisdom God is trying to convey to me.

Hyper-sensitive.  I live in a culture that teaches me to stand up for myself, to never let an offense slide, to point out the faults of others.  Therefore, since such ways appeal so much to by flesh, it's easy for me to be easily offended as I go through my days.  Instead of giving people the benefit of the doubt, considering the possibility that they are having a bad day, might by going through a personal crisis, or could be experiencing some kind of loss, I find myself being hard on others.  In fact, I come to expect more from everyone else than I can even do myself.

This is one of the characteristics of the Pharisees; the group of Jewish scholars often criticized by Jesus as placing a heavy burden on the backs of the people they led (Matthew 23:3-4).  When I become so quick to point out ways others offend me, I'm taking part in a similar habit.  I'm more attentive to my own rights and feelings, failing to even consider the one who "offended" me.  Instead, I can let the insults roll off me, trusting that God will avenge me if I'm ever truly insulted (Romans 12:19-20).

If my skin is so thin that every off-word wounds my heart I'm a fool who sets the bar so high for others that I can't even reach it myself.

Slow-to-speak.  It is said that Abraham Lincoln quipped, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."  I have to admit, it's hard for me to remain silent when I think I have something smart, or helpful, or beneficial to say.  When someone is going through a hard time, or others are sharing their stories, or I hear advice that doesn't strike me as sound, I'm quick to pipe up, sharing what I know.

Instead of trying to prove my worth by sharing what I know, I can pay attention, practicing the art of listening.  I've seen many-a-know-it-all who seems to suck all the oxygen out of the room.  They can't seem to resist any opportunity to show off what they know, to highlight their own estimation of their cleverness, to act as if the world can't go on without hearing what they have to say.  As much as these types cause me to cringe and run the other way, I have to admit that I have a bit of the same desire within.  Who doesn't want to feel important and needed, that their knowledge can help others along?  Therefore, I must be careful to only speak when the time is right; when its best for all parties involved and according to God's leading (James 3:17).  Sometimes, it's just time to be quiet (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

If I'm quick to share my knowledge without discretion I'm a fool who never learned consideration and prudence.

I never want to play the fool, but often I tend to act less-than wise.  If I want to avoid the fool's way, I must guard against self-righteousness by letting God humble me and be my guide, to cut others a break so I'm not so quick to be offended by their insults, and to avoid speaking up so quickly, paying attention to when it's time to share what I know.  In these ways I'll stick to the way of wisdom.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to listen to His guidance.

When am I most easily offended?

How do I spend my time criticizing others?     

Worldly Wisdom

"He immediately consulted with his wise advisers,

who knew all the Persian laws and customs,

for he always asked their advice.

The names of these men were

Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres,

Marsena, and Memucan--seven nobels of Persia and Media.

They met with the king regularly and held the highest positions in the empire."

Esther 1:13-14 NLT

Who is my go-to person?  From where do I gain wisdom for living?  How do I acquire understanding in tricky situations?  King Xerxes had a whole group of men who were well-versed in the laws of the land but also the ways of their culture.  They knew how certain actions might affect the people and thus the king's ability to reign, but they also possessed good insight into the mindset of the average person.  It's no wonder that the king met with them often.

The problem with such advice, however, is that it is based on faulty human reasoning.  When I follow suit and make man my source of wisdom, I will soon discover the difference between insight from God and that of man.

Reputation-focused.  How will this make me look?  People will talk.  They'll think I'm weak. . .or foolish. . .or just plain dumb.  Wisdom from the world is based on the influence my actions may have on others and their perception of me.  Since no one can predict perfectly how people will respond to certain news, this kind of advice is based on conjecture and assumption.  I'm guessing how my decisions will influence others and responding in a way that is most favorable to my reputation.

Politicians do this all the time.  Many base their professional decisions on the latest opinion poll instead of acting on convictions and beliefs.  When I live my life in such a way, I'll find myself like a wave, tossed around this way and that, pushed wherever the judgments of others dictate. 

Instead, I can ask God for wisdom, believing He is the true Source of good advice (James 1:5-8).  When I do so, I will find an Adviser who guides me in the way that is most excellent for me.  He has my best interests at heart so I can trust Him to lead me right.

God's wisdom is concerned with what is best for me while man's considers only how it looks to others.

Fear-based.  King Xerxes knew he had to do something in response to his wife's public display of disrespect.  If he let it go, he believed every wife would follow suit and they would have a revolt on their hands!  Therefore, he decided to send a strong message to the women of the land.  Your husband is king of your home and you should respect him always, or else!

Wisdom based on man's way of thinking often uses such tactics to obtain the desired results.  It's manipulative, influencing the behavior of others by holding something over their head.  If I don't do "this", then I will receive "that."  And the "that" is always something I want to avoid.  In this kind of advice, I don't willingly comply out of respect for the law or law-giver, but out of fear of the consequences for disobedience.  This kind of tactic is often found in countries ruled by dictators, or organizations led by the power-hungry, or families headed by the insecure.  

In contrast, God gives me free will to decide which path to take.  I will experience the natural consequences for my actions, but He does not strong-arm me into doing things His way.  He desires for me to obey Him because He knows it is what is best for me, but the choice is always mine to make.

God's wisdom is freely given while man's depends on coercion and intimidation.

Comfort-aimed.  The solution was simple:  Get rid of the problem.  Since Queen Vashti was rocking the boat, the king's advisers recommended that he dispose of the queen and find a new one.  Problem solved.

This is often the case with worldly advice.  It follows the path of least-resistance, that which causes the smallest fallout, or whatever gives a minimal amount of trouble.  In short, it's all about what is the easiest and least troublesome.

God does not avoid pain, and neither does He expect me to take such an easy way out. He does what is right, looking for the outcome that will bring about permanent healing, beauty out of ashes, and joy from the darkest night (Isaiah 61:1-3).  While man's brand of wisdom doesn't usually solve anything, God's brings about surprising goodness from the rubble.

It reminds me of an injury our cat Blacky sustained one day as he roamed the woods behind our house.  He sustained a puncture wound that required lancing for proper healing.  Any kind of similar injury must be healed from the inside out.  This meant that all the pus and putrid fluid had to be drained from the wound, a painful process.  In order for our cat to experience complete recovery, however, he had to go through this treatment.  Similarly, my healing may require that I face painful realities as I purge the ugly hurts from my heart.  

God's wisdom brings about health and wellness while man's is most focused on comfort and avoiding pain.

Advice is everywhere, free for the taking.  Trouble is, the kind of counsel I receive from the world is focused on preserving my reputation, manipulation using fear, and aims for my comfort as it's highest goal.  If I want true wisdom, I'll need to ask God who will give me His best, let me choose to follow or not, and results in wholeness.  When it comes to advice, I'll take God's over worldly wisdom any time!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can make God my go-to source for wisdom and advice.

When do I rely on what makes sense to me instead of following God's advice?

How do I prefer comfort over true wisdom?    

The Right Time

"After this, Jesus went around in Galilee.

He did not want to go about in Judea

because the Jewish leaders there were looking

for a way to kill him.

But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near,

Jesus' brothers said to him,

'leave Galilee and go to Judea,

so that your disciples there may see the works you do.

No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.

Since you are doing these things,

show yourself to the world.'

For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Therefore Jesus told them,

'My time is not yet here;

for you any time will do.'"

John 7:1-6

Most gardeners possess an internal calendar of tasks and projects necessary for tending their yard, flowers and vegetables.  There is a specific time for every chore and it's important to know when to do each.  For instance, if I trim my Crape Myrtle bush in the early summer, it will not bloom that year.  Or, if I were to prune my River Birch tree in the Fall, it would bleed a lot of sap.  Instead, it's best to wait until after the new leaves are well established in the springtime.  Additionally, if I were to fertilize my lawn at the wrong time I could damage or weaken the tender blades of grass.  Knowing that there is a right time for every task is vital to the success of my garden.

In the same way that a garden flourishes under the care of a master gardener who understands the importance of timing, so my faith will grow and thrive when I submit to the master plan of the One who holds time in His hands.

Advice

People tend to love giving advice, but accepting it is a whole other thing.  Take Job, for example:  When he was going through the most difficult trial anyone could imagine, his friends were there to offer plenty of counsel, suggestions and opinions.  Unfortunately, most of what they said was not godly, helpful or even encouraging.  After awhile, their words even became downright condemning. (Job)

People mean well, but most tend to lean on their own understanding, thinking they have the solution needed to solve another's problem.  There are times I do the same as well, relying on my own common sense instead of seeking God's will to direct my words to a good friend.  

When money is tight and we have a hard time paying the bills, many give the suggestion that my husband should find a higher paying job or I should enter the work force.  If I take their advice without consulting God for His plan, I risk stepping outside His will and missing out on all the blessings found there.

When the children are exercising their strong wills and I experience constant opposition from them, the experts may tell me the exact opposite of how God wants me to handle the conflict.  If I never take this issue before the Lord, I'll never know how He wants me to guide my children through this time of testing.

When life gets hectic and the word "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe my life, well-meaning friends may have all kinds of advice as to what activities I should eliminate from my schedule.  Only the Lord knows, however, what He has prepared in advance for me to do, so it is best if I pay attention to what He is telling me.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Advice is always available, but if I want to live according to God's plan and help others do the same, I must stay in tune with Him.

My Plan

Humans love to make plans.  Whether it be financial strategies with the aim of becoming independently stable, personal plots used to reach a certain goal, or professional campaigns designed to fulfill a dream, every person tends to make some kind of plan for their own life.

My plans tend to be based on opportunity, expectations or tradition.  For instance, my dad went into barbering as his lifelong career because his best friend's father was a barber and took him under his wing.  My dad went to school and soon found himself practicing his newly learned skill, all because a door opened before him.

Similarly, a friend of mine in high school never thought about going to college because no one in her family did, and neither of her parents ever suggested it.  It was her expectation that she would get married and raise a family without ever considering higher education.  In contrast, I went to college out of a sense of custom: it just seemed to be the pattern that most people followed so I thought a person's life should follow the same path of graduating from high school, going to college, getting married and raising children.  

In every one of the above instances, none of us consulted God, inquiring as to whether the path I found before me matched up with God's plan.  Instead, we let our own understanding of where we fit into the world shape our future.

It is easy to make a plan based on my own ideas, but if I want to follow God's master plan for my life, I must stay connected to Him.

His Plan

She couldn't understand why God made her this way:  Her hair was jet black and stick straight and while most students in her class could easily reach the coat racks, she always needed help to hang up her jacket.  As a result, this young girl was often the butt of many-a-joke while she was in school.  Once she entered into the mission field, however, everything began to make sense.

You see, this young lady became a missionary to the Chinese people where she fit in quite naturally due to the very physical characteristics that used to bring her such grief.  God had a plan that she could not understand until later.

For this reason, it is important that I trust God enough to accept all the quirky qualities He has placed within me, believing that He will one day use it for His glory.  Instead of putting myself down, then, I can see myself as one who was "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)  God has a plan that I know nothing about, and to Him, I am a work of art that He purposefully placed right where I am.  Therefore, I need not worry about tomorrow because it's all mapped out.

God's plan is mysterious and masterful, but if I want to follow the path He has laid out for me, I must keep His sovereignty always in mind as I walk closely beside Him.

There is a time for everything, as Solomon so eloquently penned in Ecclesiastes 3.  Either I can base that timing on the advice of others or I can follow my own plan, but if I want to live based on God's purpose, it is vital that I follow His blueprint for my life.  Since He's the only one who knows that plan, then, I would be wise to stick closer than a brother to my loving Father.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to my Master Planner.

When do I rely on my own common sense to make decisions instead of seeking God's will?

How do I ignore the still, small voice of God's Spirit as He tries to guide me through my day?