Proverbs 5:6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it
I was out on my motorbike, loving the summer nights, driving around my favourite haunts, wide sweeping curves in the roads, places to stop and see the city lights, cafes for cups of tea, friends houses for conversations about the latest motorbikes and how we would one day own them. I loved just driving around, not going anywhere, impulsively changing destinations in my head as I had new ideas, the beach at sunrise, the all-night bakery, the highest viewpoint that few people knew about, the station to watch the London train arrive, the airport to see planes land, the harbourside to see the latest ships, and the streets where it was fun to accelerate hard away from the traffic lights leaving everyone behind to inhale the fumes until the next set of lights.
It was a Friday night, no work tomorrow, I was having the best night, throwing my bike around bends, hammering down short straight busy roads, weaving in and out of traffic with glee.
Then there was a blue tinge to the lights around me which was interesting and as I was trying to identify its’ source I saw the unmarked police car behind me and I knew my goose was cooked. I put my hand up right away and admitted my mistakes, a forty-pound fine and three penalty points later and I was on my way.
I was nearly at the place where I lived, so I went home early a bit deflated.
The next night all was forgotten and out I went again.
Same policeman, same spot in the road, same outcome. I still remember him asking me, “Did ah no stoap you last night too?”
The lesson was learned that second time, for a season, I was still young.
KNOWLEDGE
Whatever it is that has allured us, that we now find ourselves following, there is no personal care for us. There is no hunger for insights and wisdom, for today, tomorrow or the eternal future. There is an abandonment to these ways, no rhythm of life, Emptiness meets you in the hallways, and futility is your neighbour. Their companionship is corrosive, their guidance is giddy, and their purpose is pointless. You find yourself dislocated, disillusioned, and disorientated.
There is an emptiness to this lifestyle, a vacuum that has no purpose, no merit, and no integrity.
Stop now, like the sign on the motorway exits read – stop, go back, the wrong way.
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 for “wander” in Hebrew is pronounced as “nua’ “. This word is found 40 times in the Old Testament and is translated into the English words, fugitive; wander; sway; moved; wags; shake; totter; fro [swing to and..]; totter; stagger; and, tremble.
Here in verse six, we pick up on the idea of swaying and swaggering, and aimlessness.
WISDOM
Q – who is your guide today?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Analytical is keen to find the truth and help others do the same for themselves. You are always up to debate ideas, as you push for more understanding, with buckets of praise for others who do the same.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [she does not prepare or make smooth her way of conduct with no consideration for her future. She swings to and fro without instruction, care or recognition.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to consider your ways and my future. Thank you!
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Thank you Pastor Allan.
I would say my guide is the Holy Spirit. Thankfully I have learnt to acknowledge His ways and ask for guidance. As humans we all make mistakes and so easy not to hear His tender voice but to listen to our flesh.
Ps Allan a real reminder to slow down !
But also your version ,’ she does not prepare or make smooth her way of conduct with no consideration for her future. She swings to and fro without instruction, care or recognition.] ‘ sadly reminds me of situations where young people make poor choices and with the saturation of social media and wanting attention or to look the part be socially accepted without real forethought or conviction of right or possible wrong for their future. We need to encourage wisdom with our children and young people for their future . To learn from the little mistakes or bad choices and not end up on a road to distraction we pray
Thank you Ps Allan. I always want to look to Jesus to be my guide.
Great question!
My guide is “the Holy spirit.
In every season of life he has been ever present.
If I look back at certain choices I have made ,it would be when I made decisions on my own thinking and eventually realize that those impulsive desition were not God inspired.
I’m so grateful that God choses to be in our life and guides us as we become more and more sensitive to his voice and leading .
Thank you ps. Allan. My guidance is His Words, His Way and His commands and teaching. The essential key for follow Jesus as Our Lord and Saviour, is having teachable spirit and having a humble heart. As a human being, sometime we have our flaws by using our own understanding and strength. That was why we fail and stumble. If the Lord permits us to go through this, He has His purpose to shape us, to mould us to be better and better as His children and Disciples. Amen
Hi ps Allan ; thx u for God words; Is a lots of mistakes in our life ; I don’t judge anybody but I think we need it learning; practical and encourage wisdom no only for others ; for us too ; look after our spirit is permanently present is honour and glory to amazing Father.
Thx u
God bless
Always love hearing your stories at a young age. We make mistakes all the time and sometimes it will take second or third time to learn. It’s so important to ask the Holy spirit to help and guide us every step of our Journey.
I love your strength thought Ps Allan.
Thank you!
The movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade comes to mind and the scene in particular when the very old Knight says to Indy, “Choose wisely from the cup you will drink. One is the cup of life while the others cups of death!” or something like that. Our choices come at a cost, everyone of them so we should always choose wisely.
Thanks Pastor Allan for another lesson learnt in your youth!
I see the danger here of not having an anchor in our lives like Jesus who helps us set our consistent standards & morals to help us live by. Without this we can lead an empty unproductive ever changing & easily swayed life. There is no direction either for the present or for the future & life becomes aimless meaningless & we can become easily influenced by the world’s trappings which can lead us astray & cause us to become very self centered & devoid of hope. Knowing Christ however gives us purpose & a cause to choose to walk in where we can find true fulfillment meaning & satisfaction because it’s only in this that we find the real reason for our existence on this earth.
The follies of youth, with no thought about tomorrow—far away from God, can only lead to self destruction.
As our prayer for today, Joshua 1:9 tells us that no matter how attractive that path seems when we are young and inexperienced, we must keep clear of it and stay strong. Our God is always with us.
Thank you, Pastor Allan.
Pastor Alan, I read your stories and I think 🤔 to myself, “IF ONLY” we could put the clocks back and relive our past one more time (or maybe a couple 🙏🏿😂), Thiers not a story that has not touched my heart pastor 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏾