The Tree of Life

I love it when I suddenly get a revelation into something that was formerly a mystery to me. There is a light bulb moment when all becomes clear. We learn so many things throughout life, much of it is useful information but, as we become older, some of it has to be discarded as unimportant, misleading or false.

My grandson at three-years-old, stands poised on the brink of a lifetime of learning. He already knows things that I only learnt in recent years because technology has undergone a revolution. Can you imagine that, even at two-years-old, at one press of a button on his dad’s phone, he could already speak to us, without his dad knowing what he was doing.

We want him to learn the most important things in life, such as how to have a personal relationship with Father God. So, I can empathise with the loving father speaking to his son in Proverbs Chapter 3. He’s giving him life coaching. He impresses upon him the necessity of trusting the Lord, seeking His will and never becoming complacent, thinking one’s arrived and knows everything there is to know.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones’ (Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-8‬). ‬‬‬‬
He advises him to be generous in giving to God and to other people, especially the poor. He is to take rebuke and correction from God, as it is always done in love and with our best interests at heart. God loves us to be humble and teachable. ‘The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble’ ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭3:34‬). ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

But perhaps the most astonishingly clear and helpful advice comes with these words, ‘My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap’ ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭3:21-26).‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

How much we Christians today need to hang on to common sense and discernment! There are those who are highly educated and yet have no common sense or discernment. There are many who are passive and simply don’t bother to think things through for themselves, weighing and testing everything they read or hear in the media. Sometimes pride stops us from acknowledging that we have been deceived in what we have believed for many years. It takes humility to say, “I was wrong”.

The father in Proverbs Chapter 3 gives a beautiful metaphor to his son to remember, ‘Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly’‭‭ (Proverbs‬ ‭3:18‬). ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Prayer: Loving heavenly Father, thank You that Your wisdom is far above all that this world offers to us, and that the guidance in Your word is forever true, whatever changes come in the world views and ideologies around us today. Please help us to hang on to Your wisdom, the tree of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.