Proverbs 4:8 “prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honour you if you embrace her”
My first ever motorbike was a Suzuki GT 250cc. It was so exciting. A week or so earlier I had gone out as a pillion passenger to the Sunday markets on the outskirts of the city. I was sixteen years old, it was my first time on a motorbike and I loved it. Ever since I was looking for a motorbike, and as I had some savings I could afford to buy one cash. I went to see the bike out at the seller’s house and he took me out for a spin. It was fast and noisy and shiny…..I was in!
I went back a day later with my new crash helmet, new gloves and jacket and a friend who could drive a motorbike and we sealed the deal, then drove the new prized possession back to where I lived and parked on the street.
The next day it would not start, and I knew nothing about motorbikes. It had a kickstart so I had kicked it 40 or 50 times and nothing. So I pushed it to the nearest motorbike garage, which was about a mile (uphill most of the way). Flat battery – I’d been diddled the day before! So I bought a new battery and I was ready to drive.
Except I did not know how to drive. So embarrassingly I pushed my new bike, with its new battery back home. Then I read a book on how to drive a bike, went downstairs and jumped on the bike, and decided I could drive the bike away.
Amazingly I did not kill myself in the first two minutes (it was a seriously busy main road I lived on). Off I went seriously happy, oblivious to risk. The gears were one down then half click back up to neutral and then up again to second gear, and so on to gear five, or maybe it had six.
I stopped at a set of lights. They changed and I was off in first gear. Straight up into second gear and revving. Nothing was happening though. I was in heavy traffic, slowly drifting, yet revving furiously.
I had no idea what was happening, panicking a little. I looked down at my foot the gears were on and could not understand what had happened. One down, two back up. I’d done that.
When I looked back up I was leaving the road onto the kerb and pavement and nearly into a tenement doorway, where a lady was standing still, staring at me, partly in fear and partly in disbelief.
My first proper crash. Down I went. Took the heel off my new cowboy boots, and the knees out of my jeans, and a nice score in my brand new helmet.
One day in, and I had been on the bike for a grand total of six minutes, I had pushed it further than I had driven it. Was out of pocket for a new battery, lost my best boots and jeans, and probably need a new helmet too.
Oh by the way, in case you have not worked it out, I was stuck in neutral.
It would have been cheaper by far to take some lessons, but, oh no, I knew best!
KNOWLEDGE
What’s your view on moral purity, on holiness, on Christlikeness? How does this figure in your daily thinking? The writer here draws a clear connection between our focus, energy and continuing commitment to an ongoing, intense, committed relationship with Jesus (wisdom) and the position we will occupy in life day today.
We are called to never separate ourselves from Him, to have a continual embrace, and to prize this above everything else. So we see the tangible and the intangible parts of our life completely committed to this love relationship. This is no sterile obedience to a list of orders, this is no learning by rote and repetition, this is no empty endurance of practising purity – rather this is a passionate pursuit of endless possibilities, we are all in, mind, soul, strength and spirit – caught up in a life that is marvellous and majestic, moment by moment.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word “embrace” is pronounced “habaq” in Hebrew. This word appears 13 times in the Old Testament, and in the ESV it is translated into English as embrace and cling. For us, in this verse, it has the meaning of bringing the subject [wisdom] in close to us, as close as we possibly can, into our sphere of influence and holding it there constantly as a suit of armour.
WISDOM: who and what are you holding on to today?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Significance wants what I do to count. To draw attention to my team’s success and have them noticed. It’s never just about me?
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [exalt and esteem wisdom, and she will literally and figuratively raise you up with her. She will cause you to abound with weighty treasures if you fasten her to yourself as armour
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me not only to find wisdom but to apply it in every area of my life, wholeheartedly on bended knee to you. Thank you.
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
Hi ps Allan ; thx u for God word; but today went I read u story about motorcycle; I was very similar experience in my life but for me the result was not very nice ; took decision without properly learning paid the price .
By the way went in God journey as sooner or later Take it ; understand and practical wisdom Is beneficial x my personal life .
Thx u
Wisdom is akin to common sense. To heed advice and be wise enough to know when to quit. Or to quit whilst you’re ahead. I’ve always thought motorbkies to be a dangerous form of transport and always discouraged any of my kids from going down that path. One of my girls did take lessons but gave up the idea. Thank goodness.
Thank you pastor Allan. Thank you for sharing your unbelievable experiences 😂😂
With a huge day ahead, I woke up feeling slightly anxious but reading this reminded me to focus on Christ and everything else will follow.
Wow I’m so glad that you are still with us Ps Allan. Reading on how you had to read a book to teach yourself to ride that bike reminds me now days you can just watch YouTube now to learn lol.
Thank you so much for encouraging this morning.
I love this – rather this is a passionate pursuit of endless possibilities, we are all in, mind, soul, strength and spirit – caught up in a life that is marvellous and majestic, moment by moment.
I can’t get the picture of you with cowboy boots out of my mind 🤣🤣
The thought of bringing wisdom into a close embrace and holding it closely as a protective suite of armour is powerful.
I love the imagery you painted, understanding that wisdom represents the very person of our Lord Jesus Christ . We get to press in, to “put Him on “ each day.
He is our armour, our wisdom, He protects, leads, sustains, fights our battles. We just need to stay close, and walk in His wisdom.
Glad you were okay Ps Allan.
This line is beautiful – We are called to never separate ourselves from Him.
The writer here draws a clear connection between our focus, energy and continuing commitment to an ongoing, intense, committed relationship with Jesus (wisdom) and the position we will occupy in life day to day.
Continuing commitment – love that. Being intentional with our time with Him, to be refreshed and corrected. To gain wisdom.
Thank you Ps Allan
A difficult lesson to learn Pastor Allan but one you haven’t forgotten!
I’m encouraged by how you explain about attaching wisdom like a suit of armour wrapped so closely around me like another skin for it will bring great rewards of honour & being exalted for Christ ‘s sake. This stresses the importance by being intentional & embracing God’s Word in everyday life by prizing wisdom which is likened to finding an extremely valuable & precious gem. The more I seek to know Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit the wiser I will become & the more I will flourish in life & be a witness worthy to bear His Name.
Thanks Ps Allan for sharing your story.
I love that we are called never to separate ourselves from Him, to have a continual embrace . God loves us with an everlasting love .
Thanks Ps Allan for sharing your story.
I love that we are called never to separate ourselves from Him, to have a continual embrace . God loves us with an everlasting love .
I would love to see you on a Harley now… cowboy boots, black leather and all….
Love wisdom , love holiness and doing best to cling on to them. You’re a legend
Pastor Alan that’s soooo good, but these kind of experiences makes us who we are today and like you said, you knew best & when we are young we do know what’s best, these are all building blocks to life pastor Alan, with many more to come in adult life (as well), good story pastor Alan, have you got your professional license now 🤷🏽♂️😉
We need to keep wisdom foremost every day of our lives, value it and hold tight to it. Put wisdom on like a suit of armour, and cling tight to it. Have a closer walk with Him and we can be confident that we are loved and cherished all through our lives.
Enjoyed your motorbike story, Pastor Allan.
I feel it such a great honour to have this love relationship with our God.
His wisdom and teachings will always lead us in the right path.
I cling to Him today and every season as I know for sure he will take care of everything in His time .
You certainly kept the angels busy when you were younger Allan. A life marked by GOD’s love and protection.