This week's Bible Study - June 15, 2008
Extraordinary Wisdom for Everyday Living
How to Storm-Proof Your Home
 Background Scripture:
Proverbs 23:22-24:4
Quote of the Week:
“Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm”
-- Source Unknown
How devastating are storms? We may not have understood the power of a severe thunderstorm or a flood or a tornado or a hurricane. We don't seem to have an appreciation for storms until we've been through one. Some have no idea of what a tornado can do - and think it will never happen to them, but when it comes close, they see that they need to do something. In schools they do drills - I've heard of one school that was doing a tornado drill and part of the school thought it was a fire drill, so they went outside, while the others went to interior halls to protect themselves. At least they knew they were supposed to do something, I guess.
And, it seems that in all areas of the United States, there are potential natural disasters that can cause damage to our homes. In the past couple of years alone, there have been large hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, ice storms and the like around the world. Certainly these disasters are more likely in one area of the world than another, but each has its own issues. If you live in the Midwest, you needn't worry about protecting your home against hurricanes. If you live in the South, blizzards are not an issue.
In one article, I read that there are three key areas to pay special attention to, to protect one's house from the points of weakness. They are the roof, the windows and the doors (including the garage door). It is suggested that the roof may need extra work to secure it to the walls, to avoid high winds. Windows may need storm shutters or plywood. Doors may need additional bolts or bracing. Nothing you do for your house can guarantee the safety of your home when the storm hits, but you may be able to minimize storm damage. Additionally, you would need to check any trees that may be prone to falling, because of disease or cracks, insect infestations, etc. And, you would want to secure outdoor equipment, like trash cans, grills, toys and other objects so that they don't cause additional injury during storms.
As we think about our homes and the places that we live, we know there are some things we should do to deal with the storms that may come. Similarly, in our real homes (families), there are plenty of storms that can happen. Some storms are more prone to some families than others, but I would contend that every family must weather some storms. If the proper preparation is not done, then there is the potential of severe damage, or even loss of relationships within the family. Are we as concerned about preparing ourselves to storm-proof our families as we are to storm-proof our houses?
This passage talks about the importance of getting wisdom from those who have gone through things in their lives. Talk to the people who have "been there" and listen to their advice. Your parents and others from older generations may have many words of wisdom that can impact your life. How many things did they experience firsthand that could help us avoid pitfalls? Are we willing to listen and follow their advice?
We are told to pursue the truth, including the wisdom, discipline and understanding that go along with it. Some people are bold (or stupid) enough to think that they know enough to go forward on their own, but there are so many pitfalls that could be avoided. As a previous lesson indicated, it is more than simply knowledge, but it is wisdom, discipline and understanding that is needed. We need to be able to apply what we know in tangible ways in our lives. I have plenty of experience in knowing what to do, but doing something different. I bet you do too.
As a child, we can bring joy to parents by doing the right thing. But, when we show that we can apply wisdom to our lives, it brings parents delight. As parents, we have much to be thankful for when our children make wise decisions.
In short, learn what you can from those who have been there. I don't believe we do enough of this sharing across generations in our churches. I am very thankful in the Bible Study class that I am in that there is an older couple involved with the younger folks; and that they offer relevant wisdom to each of us in our day to day lives. They've been there and are an encouragement to us. As we grow, are we sharing our wisdom - our successes, failures, bumps and bruises - with the younger generations?
The next passage speaks of staying focused on God's ways. As we go through life, we have many distractions that can cloud our vision. If we don't keep ourselves aligned with God's will, we can easily fall to the side. Most Christians would express a desire to walk with God, but realistically, most Christians rarely crack open their Bibles in a normal week. The Bible is God's written word to his people. Are we seeking God's will in our lives on a regular basis?
The trap mentioned in this passage is the danger that some types of women can pose to men. Specifically, it speaks of a prostitute or a wayward wife. I don't believe that most men (or women) ever enter a marriage, thinking that they would be swayed away from their spouses. When problems start to arise in a marriage relationship, there can be very dangerous consequences in relationships with others outside of the marriage. And, we've seen over and over in our time that being a Christian is not enough to make us immune. I truly believe that sometimes we are at a larger risk for failure in this area. We believe that we are above such common temptation, so we don't keep ourselves out of compromising situations, which can lead to damage.
It usually doesn't happen all at once, but over time. It is like erosion of a canyon wall - a river won't widen the canyon all at once, but over time, little by little, the erosion occurs. How can we protect ourselves? Stay focused on God's ways. If we are pointed in a specific direction, with purpose, we can avoid some of these pitfalls that have brought destruction to many families. If we have a 'said' faith, we are making ourselves vulnerable. I believe that we have spent too much of our lives trying to avoid the things that need to be avoided, without the real concern of where we are headed. Let's move our focus to God's will and not make the focus simply trying to avoid the pitfalls of life.
The next area that can bring downfall to a family involves alcohol. Some people have grown up around alcohol and don't see it as a problem at all. Others grew up avoiding alcohol and have stayed away from it forever (probably the safest path forward). Many people have no problem with a glass of wine with a meal or some other drink in moderation. Others will admit their addiction and seek help - while others still will ignore that they have a problem, causing issues in their lives. Use of alcohol opens the potential to disaster in one's life. The point here is not to spend a lot of time discussing whether one should or shouldn't drink. Again, not drinking avoids much of this, but not driving avoids auto accidents (in which you are a driver) - however we still need to drive. The point needs to be responsibility in what it is that we do.
I've heard folks say in the past that they thought alcohol helped loosen people up, so that they would say what it was that they really felt. This may be true sometimes, but when that starts happening, although people may laugh a bit more, it can cause a lot of problems. The discussion can slide off to very inappropriate topics, either causing further problems, or they can begin a verbal siege on others, destroying relationships. The possibilities of destruction are massive.
What are some of the results of drinking? The passage talks about woe, sorrow, strife, complaints, needless bruises and bloodshot eyes. These really aren't the type of things any of us really want in our lives, but it is what many people experience every weekend. In the past, I've worked with folks who just couldn't wait for the weekend and then on Monday, they looked like death warmed over. A pattern of this type of behavior is sure to cause havoc in a family relationship, and jobs, and life in general.
The passage mentions that infatuation of the lure of wine can certainly lead to problems. I do know folks who became regular aficionados of wine, knowing the different types. However, over time, they became addicted, leading to different problems in life. If they catch it in time, they may find that they can seek help and resolve problems, but generally for them, just like the rest of us, we often continue in our aberrant behavior until the bottom drops out. How often have you been able to make the change before it really caused problems in your life? You can see how this type of lifestyle can cause many problems in a family.
Another area that we need to protect against is the company that we keep. This passage talks about envying wicked men. It seems odd that we would envy a wicked person, but perhaps they have something we think we want. When that desire becomes stronger, we may start associating with them, so we can learn to get what it is that they have.
Rather than applying wisdom to situations, we may be tempted to listen to those who plot violence and talk about making trouble. Often, they have what they have by the use of underhanded means. When we look at a result and not the process of getting there, we can find ourselves doing things, following in ways that we would really never approve.
How is a house built? By wisdom. Cutting corners and taking shortcuts is not the way to success. Are we building our homes with wisdom? How is a house established? It is established through understanding. When we start thinking of our way as the only right way, we often are showing a lack of understanding with those we love. When we act out of knowledge, we are furnishing our rooms with rare and beautiful treasures.
Closing
Obviously, there are many issues that can cause problems in families. This passage highlights several of those. And, to be sure, there are those of us who have had to live with the consequences of actions in our past. If this is you, you need to learn from the things that went wrong, so that they don't happen again.
In closing, how did this lesson impact you? Are you listening to the wisdom that can be found in others who have been there? We all have much to learn. As we grow, are we willing to share our lessons learned, including our failures with others? Are we staying focused on God's word, or are we easily sidetracked?
What role does alcohol play in our lives and are we opening ourselves up to ruin in the future? Are we really in control? And, lastly, who are we patterning our lives after? Are we seeking the right things or are we trying to be like the others who seem to have succeeded by hook or crook?
As Christians, our success is based upon our relationship with Christ. It is all about what Jesus Christ has done for us, but we are called to let his life impact ours. Most of what we deal with could be avoided if we just kept our eyes on that prize. Let us pray for each other that we can continue to point towards that goal.
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