No More Getting Kicked in the Shins

Scripture:
If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you’ll get slapped in the face;
confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
So don’t waste your time on a scoffer;
all you’ll get for your pains is abuse.
But if you correct those who care about life,
that’s different—they’ll love you for it!
Save your breath for the wise—they’ll be wiser for it;
tell good people what you know—they’ll profit from it.
Proverbs 9:7-9

Observation: Lady Wisdom is speaking, and her lesson is black-and-white. Those who totally reject wisdom cannot be reasoned with, and any attempt to do so will actually get a wise person both physically and emotionally abused. However, if wisdom is taught to those who actually want to learn about what it means to live a good life, the wisdom will be lovingly received. Therefore, wise people are to ... "save your breath" for those good people who desire wisdom.

Application: I spend far too much mental energy worried about how to redeem and restore our society that has embraced terrible and illogical concepts. I have even looked to 'learn' how I could communicate with people who have ideals that are completely removed from God's wisdom. And I know very well that I have been abused by such individuals in the past.

As the Church, we cannot give up on society. It is our mission - our great commission - to make disciples. However, it is not our assignment as individuals to correct other individuals who have so radically rejected God's wisdom that their lives have corrupted the very nature of God's creation. If I were to embrace this proverb, God himself is stating that any attempt to enlighten such individuals will result in personal pain, and is a waste of time.

That is a hard pill to swallow. However, what I know is that, while it may not be MY task to correct others, the Lord can do anything he wishes. He has other tools and other methods that go far beyond human communications about heavenly wisdom.

I don't want to be slapped in the face or kicked in the shins anymore. And I don't want to continue to spend energy ... worry, meditation, or time ... trying to figure out the best methods to communicate with scoffers and arrogant cynics. I would prefer to allow God to do God's work, and I'll do the work he has planned for me.

Prayer: Lord, I do know you have work planned for me, and yes I know some of that includes evangelism. However, I also know there are many out there willing to receive your wisdom, even hungering for that wisdom and love and joy. May I find where you are moving in those areas, and join you there. Amen.