Day 29 – Proverbs 29
Each day of my life I feel grateful to be able to get up and do something that I believe God truly created me to do! I don’t say that to brag, but out of relief after so many years of searching and falling smack dab on my face. My job holds many unique experiences, and each day is always a little different than the day before. As I read through Proverbs 29, I thought about the different experiences I had just this week and how they aptly applied to Solomon’s words.
This week we collected supplies to be shipped to Haiti. We are all aware of the earthquake that hit the region two weeks ago and each day brings new stories of devastation. Although we ache for the pain and loss currently being felt across Haiti, if we are all truthful, we know that conditions there have been deplorable for years. Haiti has always been a nation in crisis. Never has it been in the best interest of the Haitian government to seek justice and protect their citizens. Rather, it has most often been characterized by greed and destruction. Have you seen or heard anything from the Haitian government that would indicate they are seeking to help their people since this crisis began more than two weeks ago? Of course not, because they are a government set up simply to make money for a small group of ruling elite. Unfortunately, as stated below in verse 4, justice grants stability, but greed and bribes tear it down. Although God gave us his warning through Solomon long ago, we continue to see governments fail and lives destroyed because of the quest for financial reward over the preservation of basic human dignities.
4 By justice a king gives a country stability,
but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down
On another occasion this week, I got to spend some time talking to a young man that is addicted to crack cocaine. It was interesting to talk with him, and I was amazed by his clarity of thought as he discussed his life and the many poor decisions he had made. He told me that his mom and dad were addicts and had never really taken any interest in his life. In fact, at the age of 14, he overheard them discussing ways to put him out of the house. Quickly, this young man became a product of the streets. He began to sell and use drugs and fathered several children with many different women. As I visited with him, I truly heard his plea for change, but began to understand his struggle as I realized that he had never learned any other way. As I looked at verse 15, I realized how much we have screwed up the parenting model, and each day all of society pays the price.
15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Of course, my young friend’s story is a bit extreme, but it represents why we must take the role of parenting very serious. God calls us to give correction and to help impart wisdom. This is not something that should be left up to others. How many times have we taken the easy way out and given our child a pass on something only to later see the behavior repeated, but in a more blatant fashion?
*What role has greed played in your life? Have you seen it on a smaller scale destroy friends and families as we’ve seen it destroy entire countries?
*Are you taking an active role in the discipline and correction of your child/children?
I would love to hear from you today…..
Ryan Bult
Great stories, Ryan! I appreciate your heart to love and serve others!
Thanks for allowing me to dream big and freely serve others in really cool ways! I couldn’t do what I get to do without leaders like you that are on board and understand the true importance of pouring into the lives of others. I love getting to take this journey with so many awesome people! Cheers.
I think we’ve seen greed take a toll on our own country. Certainly not as dramatically as in Haiti or some south American countries. But I see some of the economic problems we’re facing today partially due to having a culture that thinks we need to have everything we want instead of delaying gratification and saving until we can afford it, or realizing that stuff, buildings and automobiles aren’t what it is about.
Verses 15 & 17 about disciplining our children hit me this morning too. To be candid, I struggle with this. For me it was much simpler when my sons were younger. I struggle most with my 17yr old; he’s a good kid but he has a worldly attitude and I’m constantly praying about the best way to approach him on various issues or concerning situations. It’s just plain tough. I’m so grateful that I can pray. I do what I think is best, but it’s not at all like I can say “yep, I’m secure in the fact that I’m always providing godly disciple to my 17yr old son”-sometimes I’m not clear on exactly the best way to handle situations that arise.
Hey Tracy,
I think giving consistent discipline is one of the hardest things a parent can do! I believe all parents struggle with this part of child-rearing and feel like in some way they fall short. In regard to your 17-year old, remember that the Bible talks about giving your child a firm foundation on which to stand so that even though they weather difficult times, they have something to return to. I’m willing to bet that your son has a strong foundation, but is now acting out as many others his age. Trust me, I was the worst at 17 and somehow God brought me back around in a really awesome way. At 17, he is testing and will continue to test you and find ways to gain more independence and freedom. Hang in there friend and continue to give it to God. 10 years from now you will see that God had things all figured out. Wishing much patience until that time!
Thanks for the encouragment Ryan, I need it!
Great thoughts Ryan. We’re wrestling with discipline issues with our 4 year old right now trying to find the method that communicates with her the best. It’s hard sometimes!
Jason,
All I can say is that it is a lot of trial and error! Teresa and I have numerous conversations about discipline and the appropriate approach to take. Probably the most important thing is that we remain on the same page together and we back up the others decision. Again, consistency is so important! A child needs to know that their inappropriate actions will lead to consequences. If you are sporadic in your enforcement of punishment, she will continue to test the limits as you have failed to give fully defined boundaries for which to follow! Good luck!
I too was struck at how the comments you made about Haiti could easily apply (though not in the exact same way) to our nation and some of our churches as well. Too often leaders seem far more concerned with position, political favor and power than they are with the people they were elected to serve.
Leadership challenges are as big today as they were in King Solomon’s time. Going through this book has reminded me how important it is to pray for the leadership in our churches, cities, states, nation and all over the world to make wise choices and decisions.
Not only does this verse speak to discipline with my own children, but it speaks to me with the youth in general today. When I sub at the school I am sadened by the things I hear and see. I am excited about working with the youth at CP in the spring and hope that they Lord uses me to make a difference in my family and the youth in my circle. I hear too many of the stories you described and it is heartbreaking.It is time for a change!