Prayer: Father, do I watch and observe? Do I learn from what I observe? Lessons are available if I just watch and observe. Amen.
Reading: Proverbs 24 key: vs. 30-32
30 I passed by the field of the slacker,
by the vineyard of one lacking judgment.
31 Surprisingly, it was all overgrown with thorns,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I took to heart what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:
Attention: I recently attended a celebration luncheon for a retiring pastor friend. I had met this man forty-four years ago in southern California while attending college. We have stayed in touch over the years, and it was a joy to travel to join him and his church family in celebration of the twenty-eight years he had shepherded them and walked with them on their spiritual journey.
The luncheon was a potluck, cafeteria style. Having grown up Baptist, I was not a stranger to potluck events, but I had not participated in one for over twenty years. Not much had changed. The people exist in every congregation who position themselves to be first in line. Plates full of food and conversation was plentiful. There were those who stayed to themselves, those who had their cluster of friends and those who had attended this Baptist Church mingled, reuniting, and sharing memories past.
I enjoyed observing the conversations and warmth of fellowship. The couples with young children gravitated towards each other. Those who had traveled to attend sought out those they knew while attending worship in years past. What did I observe? The congregation loved my pastor friend and his wife. Tears flowed from both parties. My friend and I embraced with tears and a bear hug. I rejoiced with him over the steadfastness and perseverance of his ministry.
My friend preached that morning from Joshua 4 and the memorial stones which the Hebrew nation set up for a purpose, to remind them and future generations of what God had done for them. I reflected about the spiritual markers in my life and know that this event was another marker or anchor in my spiritual journey.
The Bible is complete with examples of people who lived life well and those who did not. Are you observing their lives and learning from their good and poor choices? We need to know history, so that we do not repeat it. Proverbs is wisdom literature. Are we learning from Solomon and applying his wisdom so that we avoid the poor decisions he is warning us about?
Action: I will choose to be more observant of the wisdom and the lessons which are around me.
Yield: When I observe and learn, I am yielded in spirit and attitude.
Engaged: I am engaged with the Holy Spirit when I am observant and learn.
Relationship: I am in full relationship with the Holy Spirit when I am observant of His instruction.
Prayer: Father, help me to slow down and observe. There are lessons I have missed by not being observant. Help me to observe and learn. Amen.
Memory Scripture: Proverbs 6:6-8
6 Go to the ant, you slacker—
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler.
8 Yet it prepares its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Music Video: Josh Baldwin – Evidence
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”