It was the summer before our senior year and my closest friend, Jake, and I were returning from the beach on a Saturday afternoon and stopped off at our house to get a snack. As I opened the door, Jake said, “Hey, is your dad home? George? George? Hellooooo George!” Jake was calling my father by his first name. I stared at horror at Jake, shoved him, and whispered. “Dude! My dad is home, he’s probably sleeping!”
Jake’s eyes opened wide. “Ooops! Hope he didn’t hear me!”
From the time we were in grade school, Jake and I were always getting into mischief. Crashing parties, pranking our friends and one another, I was as puerile as he was, probably even more so. Recently, Jake texted me about a current news event. Ironically I was thinking about this incident that I just shared and texted him about it. Surprisingly, he also remembered it and texted back.
“We were young and stupid. Not young anymore.”
“Amen!” I quickly replied.
I no longer prank my colleagues or crash parties, but I still do stupid things. The list is even longer than what I did before. I sighed as I reflected upon this statement and my life. In that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and brought this Bible verse to mind.
…I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.
Proverbs 30:1-3 (NLT)
These words are attributed to King Solomon, acknowledged as the wisest man of his day, and perhaps who ever lived. I can take some solace that if he confessed that at the end of this life, he still did stupid things and lacked common sense. However, this does not excuse my actions. No more excuses because I am not young anymore. After all these years, is the only thing that has changed about me? What hope do I have?
Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.
Proverbs 30:5 (NLT)
Thanks be to God that He answers King Solomon a few verses later. If I simply rely upon my own efforts, I will always be disappointed and lack common sense. The only way I can overcome my stupidity is by clinging to God’s Word and asking Him to protect me. This means asking Him to guard my mouth so that no words of gossip are spoken. This means guarding my eyes so I do not look at carnal things. This means guarding my thoughts so that I remain fixated on pleasing Him alone.
Only by doing this will God shield me from my own puerile desires and help me to gain wisdom.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 