This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at my home church. It is alway such a privilege to get to teach the Word! Here is a thought from that message, and a link to the podcast below.
There is only ONE way we are to gain wisdom and knowledge – through the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7
[1] My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, [2] turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, [3] and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. [6] For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-6
It will often seem foolish to those around you, especially those who have not sought intimacy with God and the wisdom that flows from his heart for his children, when they see us pressing into God for wisdom. Or worse, actually obeying what he tells us to do!
Here is how God spoke it to my heart:
There is a mountain biking trail that I love called ‘Collarbone Alley.’ It connects the upper parking lot to the lower lot. It is smooth and steep with big drops and tight turns. It is so much fun, but I definitely keep the safety of my collarbones in mind when I ride it. There is a trick to riding steep, winding trails and surviving: lean into the turns, and don’t lock your brakes. If you brake too hard you will skid out and tip over, or worse, ‘end-o’. The other trick, ‘leaning into’ the turns was something my friends taught me when I first learned to ride. It is a little counter-intuitive at first, but the best way to make tight, fast turns, as your tires stick to the trail, and you ‘bank’ the turn, your body and bike sometimes almost parallel with the ground!
What’s the point? When you encounter Collarbone Alley in life (and you will), lean into God, bank the corners trusting God as your anchor. While others are falling, tumbling and stopping, you can navigate the tight turns and steep, scary hills, and come out at the end safe, collarbones still in tact!
I hope this example helps you as you continually learn to lean into God to hear his Word of wisdom for every situation you encounter!
Here is the message I taught Sunday, 7/14/2013 (If not here yet, check back soon!):
God’s Image Bearers
love ya!
