Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministries; Collector of Power Tools that get used…occasionally

Proverbs 2:3-12, 16
3 Indeed, 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;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.
12Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,

16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words,

Reflection:
Our culture values so many things, and it promises fulfillment in so many places. We spin our wheels year after year trying to keep up, trying to take hold of that ever-elusive promise. We exhaust ourselves. As we start a new year, eager to set goals for the things we want to accomplish and the kind of person we want to be for the next two weeks, the proverbs offer us a different path. Seek wisdom, cry out for it, look for it, and search for it. The wisdom of God is a treasure worth pursuing. It is the life God intends for us. The source of this wisdom is unique. It’s not found in books and research. It’s not accomplished. It’s found in the personal presence of God. “The Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” God invites us to slow down, to come meander through the garden with him in the cool of the day. As we amble, his wisdom and his spirit almost rub off on us. You begin to see how he thinks about things and how he approaches all different seasons of life. Over time, this wisdom enters us. It becomes personified and takes an active role in the way we live on a daily basis.

For me, this way of life was discovered by a relationship I have with a mentor. Her name is Peg. One evening, we were praying through some things together, and I told her something I was wrestling with, and Peg’s answer was so simple that it surprised me. “What does Jesus have to say about that?” You mean I can just ask him, and he’ll answer? “Well, I don’t see why not.” So, I asked Jesus, and he answered. Suddenly my faith became profoundly simple. Walking with Jesus in relationship isn’t a trendy, approachable way of talking about Christianity. It’s the reality that God desires. It’s the desire the world, frantic with chasing stuff, doesn’t understand. As we enter a new year, I invite you to join me in pursuing just one thing. Seek first his kingdom, and all the rest will be added to you. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. God isn’t stingy. He loves you, and he loves to give you good things. Come away with God and let his wisdom, joy, peace, life, and rest fill you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, open my eyes to all the ways I am distracted from the only thing that matters. Let them melt away in light of you. Stir my affection for you. Invite my heart to come away and walk with you in the cool of the day. Come sit with me awhile, so some of you can rub off on me. I love you, Father. Tell me that you love me too. Amen.