Like I said in my previous post, I’m going hard on myself today, because, for lack of less subtle words, I took it easy. To that end, I went ahead and pushed myself through 20 minutes of shadow boxing, while wearing both a weighted vest and weighted gloves, immediately followed by a walk outside to hit my daily step quota, and then that… marvelous… piece of literature I hashed up (again, my previous post).
I went through another 20 minutes, this time shedding the extra weight and putting on the wraps and the gloves to hit the heavy bag… then another walk outside to hit ten thousand steps. Two thousand, five hundred to go.
Now, there’s something I just realized, on my final steps before reaching the gate after this second bout of steps: One reason why I’m taking longer than I should be in preparing my messages for Sunday is that need to hit at least a thousand words per article. Or, the long-term goal of hitting 365000 this year as soon as possible.
I beat around the bush a lot, I get it. Maybe it’s time to respect the Word, respect my time, and respect the people I talk to about this stuff by prioritizing quality of expression over quantity of words.
So, I’m not really counting how many words I’m going to hit here, at least until after I’m done, or when I feel I’m done.
Still in the spirit of exhausting my body and my mind, if we went through Psalm 13 last post, we’re doing Proverb 13, this time.
1 A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.Proverbs 13:1
Verse 1 hits hard right away. I used to think my Dad’s rebuke was just him getting mad at me or getting at me, but, well, it was how he was. What I failed to realize was that he rebuked because that’s who he was, and unfortunately I failed to consider and realize that he was actually, really my father with all the best intentions for me. I was a scoffer in the sense that I saw him for how I chose to see him, and not for who he was. I insisted on my thoughts on him making him, instead of just realizing the fact – that, news flash, he was my dad. God forgive me, but at the same time, I thank God, because it was only through His everlasting love that I was able to realize his love for me, contrary to me thinking it was the other way around.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:2-3
Less talk, less mistake, sure; But more quality of talk, more fruit to gather, more fruit to eat. More quality and consistency of talk, more integrity, and more preservation.
Words are not merely a guideline for us, but also a measure for others’ quality of life – a glimpse into their future, even. For treacherous words reveal a desire for violence, as lips open wide result in ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Proverbs 13:4
I’m placing more emphasis on the second line, because I’m pretty sick of having the soul of the sluggard – I’m right now sick of having more desires than actual capabilities, and I’m praying, oh, I’m praying for a turnaround.
Am I asking the Lord for a turnaround from the inside out? Like here, following the proverb of changing the world by first changing myself?
Or, am I asking the Lord for what I’ve discouraged others from asking for as long as I could remember – that is, a turnaround from the outside in, a change, an improvement in our circumstances and situations which would (or, honestly, may not come close to) lead to a change of mind?
What is it? Is it a change, an improvement from the inside out, or the outside in?
Yes. Yes, Lord, I just ask for improvement – rich supply unto diligence, and diligence leading to rich supply. I want both. Jesus, do I want both.
No, I’m not going through each verse… From here on out, just going to tackle what ‘jumps out’.
10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10
Insolence precedes strife, but you can be sure that in strife, there is some insolence to be detected. Or, the insolent one has strife inside of him.
On the other hand, wisdom is seen in those with a listening heart, a heart willing to learn, and a humble heart. What this is telling me is that insolence always cancels anyone who says that they are willing to learn, and willing to listen. Or, in other words, the strife in a man’s heart will always show itself, no matter how great the measures are to project humility.
How, then, are we to handle insolence and strife? I’m tempted to say that we’re to promote peace by great power… but I believe there’s also the approach of giving out advice, in an attempt to promote humility, and consequently, wisdom. If they don’t take it, then try again, and again… and I suppose this suits me, because I hate being the guy who confronts the insolence and strife head-on.
…though I’m willing to take advice on how to deal with that. Anyone with any wisdom?
11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
Proverbs 13:11
I read this and tell myself, ‘don’t I know it’ – No, I didn’t win the lottery, but I did the prodigal son move – No, I didn’t ask for any inheritances from people who were still alive, but when they did pass away, I was blessed, indeed, but now I’m back in to square one – close to nothing, like more than 10 years ago. And I mean close to nothing, in everything – or at least ‘everything’ according to the world’s parameters.
Sure, full of knowledge. Full of experience. But, yeah, still trying, thinking, and maybe thinking a little too much about how to go about doing that gathering of little by little – financially, relationally, and so on.
…again, I’m willing to take advice on how to deal with that. Anyone with any wisdom?
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred, huh. Guess that’s one way of saying it. Rejection makes the heart sick – or, let me be clear – the actual realization of your rejection, again (meaning beyond the first time)? That made my heart sick. Frustration over your own plans to start and maintain other sources of income before you run after capital? Makes me sick, along with the condemnation that takes free reign over your thoughts and emotions; Condemnation that goes as far as quoting the Bible, particularly where we state how we’re to be good stewards of what we have and all that – yup, definitely sickening.
That’s why I was crying out for desires fulfilled.. but now that I read about it, well, I’m thankful, because through Christ, things work the other way around as well – I mean, by our being grafted into the Tree of Life, we would see our desires fulfilled – or, perhaps, we would realize, our desires have already been fulfilled.
Or, you know what? No, I’m being a little immature on this one – Lord, You know my desires… according to Your infinite power and eternal wisdom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in remembrance of the finished work of Christ – Respond!
You’re the One with Wisdom!
…and, believe it or not, I’ll go ahead and end it there. Rant over. Unloading complete.
Father, be glorified. Amen.
133165/365000
JB's Personal Brain Defragmenter 
Leave a comment