Only one life

Today I give you my take on Proverbs Chapter 8 – a monologue by Lady Wisdom.

Hey you—I’m talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets! I’m here, standing right among you, as you race past in your fancy cars or push past me, head down, focussed only on your destination.
Listen, you fools! You have so much to learn. You think you know it all, but you really don’t.

This is important —I’m telling you how to live well,
I’m telling you how to live at your best. Not like all those who make a business out of promoting health and happiness. Those who try to fool you into buying their miracle products. I’m speaking the truth here. I always speak the truth.

If you could only stop being bewitched by the lights and adverts and shop windows and image. If you could only open your eyes and hearts and minds to what I’m saying.

Stop chasing things. Stop thinking that if you had more money, all your problems would be sorted. Stop dreaming of a job that pays really, really well. You’re missing the point. Life is about so much more than money and possessions. Discipline and knowledge and wisdom may not seem as seductive, but they are worth so much more. None of the desires of your heart are as precious as wisdom.

Imagine a life filled with wisdom and sanity and knowledge and discretion, rather than empty pride and arrogance and negative talk. Imagine a life filled with good counsel and common sense, insight and the virtue to live it out.

I could help world leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly. I could help governors govern, along with all in legitimate authority.

Anyone who loves me, I will love. Anyone who looks for me will find me. And I will bring them wealth in my own time. And glory and honour and a good name. My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary. My bonus is bigger and better than any you could imagine. Life, that’s what I’m handing out to those who love me – abundant life! What could be better than that?!

In His great power, God made me before he did anything else. I was brought into being a long time ago,
well before earth was even formed. I was there before any of the oceans or springs or rivers or lakes. Before God moulded the mountains or shaped the hills, I was already there. Long before God stretched out earth’s horizons and the skies, or gave His attention to the minute details of soil and weather, I was there. When He mapped and gave borders to the wild oceans and built the vast vault of heaven and installed the fountains that fed the oceans, I was right there with Him. Do you get the picture? I was there at the beginning of time, making sure everything was fitting together just right. I was there, applauding all that I saw, enjoying God’s company, delighting with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family.

So think about it, all of you. There is truly nothing better out there than what I have to offer. Live a life of discipline. Live wisely. Only then will you begin to understand what a blessed life looks like. You each have only one life. Don’t waste it. Don’t ruin it with your poor choices. Stop damaging your body and your soul. Enough is enough!

Trust me: When you find me, you find life, real life. An abundant life that pleases God.