A STRONGER U - JAN 26, 2024

 As I read Proverbs 26 today I was struck by just how deep the indictment against "the fool" and "folly" was explored. I mean, the wisdom writer really had harsh words about "the fool". 

In vs. 11 the fool is like a dog that returns to his vomit. That is pretty gross. But, it also tells me a story, a story that I really can't put into words. It's a word picture that has stuck with me for over 20 years since a mentor of mine taught on that scripture. But, as bad as that is for the fool, as terrible as that person's character, habits and morals might be, vs. 12 is worse. 

In vs 12 the writer asks a question... "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?"  I go, well of course I do. I am he and I see them and hear them everywhere. We have made a cultural habit of being wise in our own eyes, promoting that and creating a job out of it. At least in the West, inside Christianity and out, this is what we do. We find and talk about "our truth" as if we are wise and as if no one can challenge us. 

Well, according to vs. 12 in this ancient proverb, the person who is wise in his own eyes better beware. Part two says, "There is more hope for a fool than for him."  I mean, holy cow. After talking all this trash about the fool and his folly, then we talk about a man who is even worse than the fool. This man is not a murderer, thief, adulterer or dictator. No, just a regular man or woman, who make their way through this world feeling wise in his own eyes. What?  That is all of us. 

This person is not teachable. They make a habit of telling you what they did or what they are doing that is good whenever someone tries to give them input or advice. They suffer from the "yeah, but" syndrome of not listening and not being open to the possible wisdom of others. They see their path as their own, they decisions and outcomes as their own. While that is never true, being no one lives in a vacuum, somehow, they want to believe they can be their own boss and source of wisdom or thought or direction. They are deceived but never seeing it. 

This person travels in circles and cycles of hurt. They return to their place of sickness, like the dog to vomit. At the place where they were broken, sick, wrong, sinful, mistaken, toxic or just flat out foolish, this is where they circle back to over and over. They don't own it, it's always the fault of others, but the signs are there. There are in a rut or on the ride of life that brings them back around to their own folly, like the dog to the vomit, but worse. 

They hit the ceiling and fall on the floor. Symbolic for limitations, this person regularly feels like they are rising up but hitting a ceiling. The ceiling is way lower than it should be and they make excuses that never point to their own lack of wisdom because remember, they are already wise. In career, family, finances, fitness, friendships or just regular living situations, they see results that look alot like a foolish person, but never recognize it. Then, they fall. They fall on the floor and look up, only to blame something else for tripping them. This is a hard place to be. It's so hard to learn and grow when you won't become teachable in moments of pain and failure and challenge. 

They end up alone. Vs. 12 says there is more "hope" for the fool. I can't think of anything more dreadful than trying to do life with no hope. But, I see it often. A person who acts wise in his own eyes, who displays very little teachability or humility, but often smashes into things instead of moving forward, they are empty without hope. The hopeless wanderer who thinks they are wise is actually a broken, lonely soul, and we all have been there. 

Today, I pray for myself and for my family and friends who might are tempted to feel they need to put up a front they are wise. Really, let's all remember that even our own righteousness is life filthy rags in comparison to the righteousness of the Lord. Let us humble ourselves, be teachable, take input, set aside our pride and folly and let hope rise in our hearts as we allow wisdom to be spoken in to us from God's Word, from mentors, family, friends and others who are making an attempt to invest wise sayings into our life. 

Be the Stronger U today, the Stronger U that God made you to be. 

B