James 3:13-16
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On ABC’s The View, Barbara Walters said she wished children did not take Valentines to school on Valentine’s Day. Several of her co-workers gasped and questioned her about this remark. She explained that there always seemed to be a few children who brought Valentines for everyone and had a big fancy box to collect those which they received in return. However, not all children could afford to bring Valentines for others. And just as hurtful, some children were excluded from the exchange on purpose. Walters’ own daughter experienced this as a tall-for-her-age, gawky 6th grader who took a Valentine for every classmate… yet some deliberately did not reciprocate and made her feel inferior and ugly.
We start early building competitive spirit - and downright arrogance, prejudice, and meanness – into our children. By the time they are in upper elementary school, many have drawn a line in the sand between the “Haves” and the “Have-nots”… the “pretty” and the “ugly”… the popular and the unpopular people. Some spend lot of time and energy trying to be in the former camps, rather than the latter… and they will do almost anything to belong.
In my adult life, I have found it interesting to reconnect with some of the people who were so busy talking, boasting, twisting the truth, conniving and bullying others in order to appear wise, popular, or more important. Often, their lives turned out anything but well… filled with heartaches, missteps, and disappointments – if not utter failure. Some of those who lived in the shadows, quietly and humbly minding their own business, have gone on to accomplish great success… to become wise, well-respected, honorable and productive human beings who glorify God and bless others in their path.
Today, I challenge you to spend a few minutes thinking about your actions – and reactions – toward others. What image are you projecting? Are you boastful, judgmental, prejudiced, conniving? Do you take whatever steps are necessary to get ahead, make yourself look better, appear wise and affluent, and get what you want… at the expense of anything or anyone in your way? Has this become so much a part of your psyche that you don’t even realize you behave this way?
Ask God to show you where – and how – you need to become more humble. Call on Him to help you control your mouth… and your actions. It’s never too late to grow in wisdom… to more closely resemble the person God has called you to be. You may not be able to go back to 6th grade and give every classmate a Valentine, but you can start to be a nicer person in your present circle of friends and acquaintances. Are you building a reputation for wisdom? Will this be the Valentine’s Day you truly begin to operate in God’s love for you and those around you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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