We're in the middle of a series called "Listen and Learn". Over the course of these three weeks, we are exploring one central idea: What and who you listen to will influence what you do.
Last week we talked about the people we should tune out and the people we should tune in. Next week we’re going to talk about listening to God. Today, our theme was listening to the voice of wisdom.
In the book of Proverbs (1:20-33), Solomon describes wisdom as a woman, shouting in the streets. She wants to be heard. Her message is available for anyone who wants to listen. It isn’t a Christian thing. It's not an American thing. You don’t have to go to a special place to hear her message. It’s not a secret you have to investigate. Wisdom is available to anyone who will listen.
But so many of us don't. Instead we listen to the voice of discontentment. We listen to the voice that says, “You can have a shinier one, a smaller one, a bigger one, a younger one, one with more channels…" And the result is painful consequences. Think about it. Your greatest regrets are very likely directly linked to failing to listening to the voice of wisdom.
Of course, after calamity strikes, we all want to hear from God. After we begin to feel the pain of our decisions... after someone files for divorce... after we won’t graduate, then, we call out for wisdom. And that's when we discover that there's good news and bad news.
The good news is that God will take you back. It doesn't matter what you've done. It doesn't matter how many times you've done it. It doesn't matter how unforgivable you feel you situation is. God will never refuse you. He will always welcome you with open arms.
The bad news is that you could be facing consequences that may never go away. There are memories that there are no magic prayers to erase. There are habits that may take years to break. And, if you've been ignoring wisdom for a long time, it may be hard for you to hear her voice again. But, if you will turn away from going your way and open your ears toward wisdom, wisdom will speak.
The question is, "Will you?" Will you shut out the voice of discontentment… shut out the voice of your passions… shut out the voice of our culture… and ask wisdom, “What would you suggest?”
What and who you listen to will influence what you do
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