June will be a month of transitions. Along with the usual summer activities we will be moving to a new post-pandemic reality.
On my desk is a boat I received as a gift from my wife. It has a scripture passage on it which is often on items that are given at graduation time. It was given to me as I was beginning my journey back to school. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
These words are encouraging to know that the Lord has plans for you to prosper and to give you hope. There are of course many different places in scripture which give advice to someone on the move or in a transition period.
So I thought it would be good to share a little wisdom for our transition to post pandemic life. There is much practical wisdom to be obtained from Proverbs, for example:
- Proverbs 10:14 The wise lay-up knowledge, but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near.
- Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble.
- Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without good sense.
- Proverbs 31:10 A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
- Proverbs 3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow,’ if you can do it now.
- Proverbs 11:12 Whoever belittles another lacks sense, but an intelligent person remains silent.
- Proverbs 9:10″The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
- Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”
- Proverbs 29:11 “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”
I really like Proverbs because it gives such clear cut and dried pieces of wisdom. The ultimate source for wisdom for Christians is the Bible, and the most important piece of wisdom that we are given in Scripture is to love God and neighbor as ourselves.
When we are moving to a new place we are challenged to grow and learn. We can learn more and more as we begin relating to people in new ways, because our relationships and the way we really treat our neighbors brings to light what we really believe. We will need to learn new ways to care for people, new ways of giving up what is dear to us to help another. We also need to remember that wisdom is given to us sometimes through the strangest, ugliest, weirdest people. So this summer I would encourage you to go out of your way to meet and talk to people you don’t know. Remember the words “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) I invite you to wonder what plans God has for you and them. Wisdom can be found and learned in scripture, but you are challenged to discover whether you walk the talk when you meet a stranger and try to become a neighbor. I pray that the Lord will be revealed in new and amazing ways to you this summer.
Pastor Karel