Proverbs Experiment: Day Twenty

Proverbs Chapter Twenty:

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. (vs. 3)

Who knew that Mr. Miyagi could be so right? And the Kobra Kai could be so wrong? It even says it in the Book of Proverbs.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful? (vs. 6)

Hard to know what to say on this one. I do know that I appreciate those friends who have stuck with me, especially over this past year. The past several years have been hard on me friendship-wise. I have had some situations where people who I thought were my friends turned their back on me during real times of need, I have also had situations where people who I didn't realize were real friends helped me through some of those times. I have had really close friends of mine fade away because of time, distance, different ways of looking at things, lives going in different directions, and dumb quarrels. I am in particular grieving the loss of one friend who for the longest time was "closer than a brother." My wife asked me the other day about the last time I saw him, which was right before I left Colorado. I told her, "It just isn't the same. I don't know what happened a few years ago - maybe my perspective on things is different than his perspective on things - but it hasn't been the same since. Even when we were in different states before, we would always make sure we stayed in touch. Now, it's like the plug has been pulled on a dying friendship. Maybe it just needs to die, and either be gone for good, or maybe something will come to life."

Morbid, I know. But I do feel like there is a missing piece in my life when I lose a friend. I guess it just makes me more interested in keeping my friendships going, not taking them for granted, and being as faithful and loyal to them as I hope they are to me.

The Lord despises double standards of every kind. (vs. 10)

Yay God! We have something in common!

One of the biggest issues when it comes to double standards for me is when someone I'm working for expects more of me than themselves. I'm all for working hard and doing my best - which I strive to do - but when you get yelled at for something you do once by someone who continually does the same thing but lets it slide in their own life, well I'm not a big fan of it. I lose a lot of respect for that person. I remember one person I worked for wanted us to write down a daily schedule of the things we were doing so that he could keep tabs on his staff and make sure they were working hard and honest; but then when a leader who was over him asked him to do the same thing, he was hurt and didn't understand why that leader couldn't trust that he was doing his job.

Good to know God is not a big fan of it as well.

It is dangerous to make a rash promise to God before counting the cost. (vs. 25)

Ouch.

I have done this countless times in my life. I will ask God to get me out of a tough situation, either caused by my own stupidity or sin, or some other type of situation, and I will promise to be different, or do better, or read the Bible more, or pray more, or...or...or...you know the drill. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

This new promise usually lasts for awhile, and then it's on to life as usual.

This verse reminds me of what Jesus said when it came to counting the cost of a person's commitment before they became one of his disciples. I think I'm pretty good at haphazardly throwing out promises and commitments - perhaps like Peter - without really thinking through and deciding that I'm at that point of commitment and promise fulfillment. I'm hoping that with my own situation right now - no job and nothing on the horizon - that as I get to that desperation (and perhaps "despairation") point, I will not make glib promises to God in return for deliverance and provision.