Jan 1, 2011 2 min read

After taking inventory of the past year, one lesson surpasses all the others in prevelance and injury ? the interactions with fools. What is a fool? The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

But fools despise wisdom and instruction?

? How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?

For scorners delight in their scorning,

And fools hate knowledge?

Because I have called and you refused,

I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,

25 Because you disdained all my counsel,

And would have none of my rebuke,?

Because they hated knowledge

And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

30 They would have none of my counsel

And despised my every rebuke.~Proverbs 1:7, 22, 24-25,29-30

My resolution is to recognize a fool quickly and refrain from wasting a second more than God?s ordained time trying to instruct them. I will stretch out the grace and mercy of God to any and every impoverished soul that the Lord should lead me to, but when it is not regarded and respected for its wisdom and majesty; when it is distained and truncated, I will rest in the great peace of the Lord and cease to extend my hand to them. I resolve not to take it personally when they despise me in their willful ingnorance, for I know it is the lack of fear for the Lord Himself and respect for His Words that they ultimately hate.

2010 has shown me the utter foolishness of fools who hate instruction and wisdom and the utter inconsistantcy and pride of those who love religion for religion?s sake yet refuse to practice true religion of love, mercy, hospitality, humility and honesty. I wonder how many times I?ve been guilty of the same. Let it not be so! Lord may you ever correct my foolishness through trials, discipline, rebuke, chastening or any other means you see fit that I might be led into your wisdom lest I am left to myself. Let me not consider my hardships a curse, but a blessing that you do not wish I remain a fool and, in your great mercy have provided them for my growth and my goodwill. Amen.