The Navigation, Proverbs 22

Life is a series of treasure maps. As a child, our life is fairly careless (depending on your upbringing). I enjoyed being a kid playing cops and robbers, batman and robin, the lone ranger, riding my bike, the cub scouts, hunting in the fields, etc. Eventually came elementary school, junior high, high school, and college, service in the military, marriage, career, and family. Whew!

How do we wind up where we go? Are we following the right map? Are we equipped to read it? There is so much treasure yet to find and new found wisdom. We are an accumulation of our life experiences (much of it we would like to forget). Each day is a new slate, a new map, a new journey. What knowledge are we lacking, how do we get it? Pray for direction and avoid the pitfalls.


"Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns

Proverbs 22:5 - "In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them."

This verse is like a macro look at one's life. Over the course of 5, 10, 20 or 30 years. How much of it is blessing and how much of it involves thorns? I have had my share of thorns and self-inflicted wounds. I am now more focused on guarding my soul and avoiding the traps, tribulations, and perils. Similarily, sharing that wisdom with my family and friends. How do you guard your soul? What advice do you have for those seeking the same?

Provers 22:7 - "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

The best case for debt free living. Are you debt free? Well in our soceity, various levels of debt is acceptable. We use it to expand a business, buy a home, a car, big ticket items, and even daily expenses. Emergencies do happen and we even may need to borrow from family and friends. Many people in the U.S. are feeling the pinch. Credit card bills are high, the cost of living is racing, and high taxes of all kinds force a dual income to raise a family. It is a subtle trap.

Our family has struggled to get closer to being debt free. The last four years have been tough, but we have managed. Fortunately, we don't have a car payment and we no longer have the major credit card bills. We do owe on our home and are paying off a few medical bills and auto repairs. It is tough having to rely on our own finances, but it sure beats the alternative. In addition, we are looking to the future and planning for future expenses - taking care of our parents, our kid's college, future medical bills, retirement, etc. The decisions we make now with our money, will detail how comfortable those decisions will be in the future.

Fortunately, the Lord already knows our financial struggles and needs. He already has the answers. Go to him in prayer. He will work out the solutions on our behalf.

Proverbs 22:12 - "The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful."

Do you have a curious mind? Do you love learning new things? Knowledge and understanding is something that can never be taken away. There are many educated derelicts in our society. Many who have limited knowledge, but act as if they are the intellectual elite. What happens when the masses are unfaithful? People willingly accept a lie for the truth and truth loses its meaning. I see this played out drastically in politics today. Who do you trust in these times? Who is really speaking truth?

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org