Push the pedal that’s up!
Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today Mal Calladine gets into our sixth monthly chunk of ‘Practical Proverbs’… nuggets of knowledge that have loads of life application.
What did I like about today’s passage?
As we continue to chew on the different diet that is Proverbs - each little verse couplet being a little discipleship piece of chewing gum - short, pithy, sticky, memorable one-liners that have the goal of gaining wisdom and instruction (1:1-7). So which Wrigley’s Extra had fresh impact for me this time…?
Some verses are quite familiar here – where we first find ‘pride coming before a fall’ (16:18); why grey hair is good (16:31); and winking not! (16.30). And the number 1 kids action song (18:10)!
As well as the final verse promise that “there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” – a promise that finds its fullness in Jesus (18:24).
But today, the theme that got me most was a bit different. Normally I read the bible in the NIV (Now Indispensable Version), but I got most from re-reading them with fresh emphases in The Message version, especially at the start of Chapter 16:
“Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word” (16:1)
“God made everything with a place and a purpose” (16:4)
“When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand” (16:7)
“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it” (16:9)
These all pointed me to needing to acknowledge God’s role in my plans, especially where it feels I can’t do it on my own...
We’ve often talked about a bicycle being a great image to explain understanding journeying with God in terms of responsibility. Is this area I’m worried about my responsibility? Or God’s? If we say it’s all us, then it works sometimes, but not all the time. And the same with putting the responsibility on God. That's why I like the pedals on the bike! What propels me forward is pushing the pedal that's up. If I only focus on one pedal all the time, then it’s slack and ineffective some of the time; when the focus should be on the other. But there is power in the tension in the chain when I push on both in turn. I just need to work out which is up!
These verses reminded which pedal is up for me right now! That in the areas where I’m confused and need God to show up (because I can’t make it happen, even though I’m trying to take responsibility); then I need to focus on and push into Him (not the activity). Because I want momentum, but its Him right now that I believe can make my situation move - because I can’t!
All this reminded me of Psalm 127.1 – unless God builds the house, the labour is worthless. Right now, Lord, I need you to do it; you to show your hand. And handing it over, switching my focus and pressure to the other pedal that this is your responsibility right now, is extremely reassuring…
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
In March, our 3rd section of Proverbs was on Mother’s Day, and we looked at the concept that wisdom is a feminine characteristic. Today for our 6th section its now Father’s Day! And it made me think about these sayings above, how they point to the fullness of right Fatherly characteristics...
That He is a Father who says “Don't worry; I’ve got this” for the things that I can’t reach - He is much bigger than me.
When He takes pleasure in and approves of me, that is where I experience a sense of true value.
And He cares and wants to support me in the places and purposes I find myself in - which He made!
What am I going to do differently as a result?
I want to be the best Father I can possibly be; but to live into that, I need to make space to be ‘heavenly fathered’ myself. So I’m going to make time today to spend with him – where I’m reminded that I can know deep down that I’m accepted; to just be hung out with; taken pleasure in for just being me; appreciated; valued; and in the areas where it feels too big, and I feel frustrated and impotent to affect change, to hear Him say “I’ve got this”…
Who am I going to share this with?
Mainly I think it's about me making time and space to just enjoy being loved by my heavenly Father. Getting time to share away with Him. I might jump on my bike to go and get this space. And will find an hour just to worship on my own at home – praise YouTube predictive playlists.
But some of the other little sayings that got my attention I want to encourage specific people with different ones: 18:22 - that's for Chriscelle. 16:1,3,4 is for me I think, but also, I was reminded of a friend struggling with next steps – that God has it! 16:13 to commend someone I know for the honest and true way they speak. 16:24 to someone who is always wise and encouraging in ways that has the consistency of honey! And to affirm someone who forgives others well about what they create by doing so (17:9).
So, who are you reminded of as you read these ‘gum piece’ sayings, that you could encourage and affirm them that you were reminded of them, as you read that characteristic of our Heavenly Father?