Encounter: Slowly read through and meditate on Proverbs 1-4. Underline words or phrases that seem to be making a connection to your life. Open your time in this devotion by asking God how this timeless wisdom applies to your life.
Last night Jack and I were watching the always entertaining and popular trilogy Back to the Future 3.
Stranded in 1955 after a freak accident, Marty McFly discovers he must travel back to 1885 to rescue Doc Brown before he becomes smitten with school teacher Clara Clayton . Now, it's up to Marty to keep Doc out of trouble, get the DeLorean running and put the past, present and future on track so they can all get back to where — and when — they belong.
At the end of the movie, when the future mishap that would affect Marty’s life forever disappeared from the paper, Jennifer, Marty’s girlfriend asks why it was no longer there. Dr. Emmett, sounding like more of a spiritual teacher than a scientist, answered her saying,
“It means your future hasn't been written yet, no one's has. Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one.”
From one of the reviews for the show, it was said that, Whereas the original film played to a more materialistic idea of success, Zemeckis (filmmaker) considered Part III more of a "human journey" with spiritual overtones.
It appears we can find good theology in Film a good part of the time. There is another man that lived a few thousand years before, chosen by God to deliver to us a similar message;
My child, never drift off course from these two goals for your life: to walk in wisdom and to discover your purpose. Don’t ever forget how they empower you. For they strengthen you inside and out and inspire you to do what’s right; you will be energized and refreshed by the healing they bring. They give you living hope to guide you, and not one of life’s tests will cause you to stumble. Proverbs 3:21-23
Although we know Who holds the future, God has not freed us from the responsibility of Living the Transformed Life by walking in His wisdom. You can be the smartest person alive, the wealthiest and even full of Bible knowledge and live a life void of wisdom which leads to negative consequences way beyond one generation.
Every day we make choices, many of which we may have not considered God’s counsel. For our culture as a whole, we do not live by the wisdom of God but by a world of people jumping off a cliff one after another, as our parents warned us.
God is calling us to change that trend and to start with ourselves. He has given us a guide that will touch every facet of our lives as it speaks of humility and pride, justice and vengeance, work and laziness, wealth and poverty, friends and neighbors, love and lust, anger and strife, masters and servants, even life and death. Yes, these words in Proverbs are as relevant today as when they were first spoken some three thousand years ago and God tells us to spend everything we have to get it.
Wisdom is the most valuable commodity—so buy it!
Revelation-knowledge is what you need—so invest in it!
Unlike the movie, Back to the Future, we don’t have to go back to the past to correct our future, living regret after regret if we focus on aligning our life with God’s way of life now. Let us be on this wisdom quest together because Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one!”
On the Wisdom Quest with you,
Pastor Tammy
Reflect: Ask God to reveal to you any areas of your life (relational, emotional, physical, mental, spiritual) where you know what is right, but you are not applying wisdom. Write in your journey what He shows you.
Encourage: Share this series with a friend or family member who could use some wisdom in their life situation and decision making. Invite them to church or to watch online to find the encouragement to follow God’s wisdom and purpose for their life. Read a proverb a day with your children at the dinner table and discuss how it is relevant to their lives.
Gather: What specific changes in thought, action, or habit did God reveal to you in your reflection time? If appropriate, take time in your small group and share this asking for prayer to have the strength to make these changes.