John Mayer, love and wisdom

Today: Proverbs 4-6

"Who do you love?
Me?
Or the thought of me?
Me or the thought of me?"*

These lyrics from a John Mayer song popped into my head as I read today's passage. I realize that may sound a little strange, but I'll explain. I think these lyrics convey the fact that there can be a big difference between what people want to love, say they love, think they love...and what they actually love.

Take wisdom, for example. If I asked people on the street, "Do you think wisdom is important?" or "Do you think wisdom is worth pursuing?", I bet that 99% of them would say, "Yeah--absolutely!" But I wonder...do they actually love wisdom? Do you? Do I?

Take a look at this section from today's passage:

"Take this to heart.
Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom!
Forage for Understanding!
Don't forget one word!
Don't deviate an inch!
Never walk away from Wisdom—
she guards your life;
love her—
she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—
believe me, you won't regret it;
never let her go—
she'll make your life glorious.
She'll garland your life with grace,
she'll festoon your days with beauty."

Why wouldn't anyone like Wisdom, right?

However, I wonder if to many people, Wisdom feels like the It Guy/Girl--"the One" that we're supposed to love and destined to be with...who feels a bit unattainable. We're like the intimidated guy afraid to approach the most amazing girl at the school/church/office because...we don't know what to say or do. Will Wisdom love us back? Is Wisdom too hard to get? Are we not worthy of Understanding?

On another extreme, I think there are some people who feel like Wisdom is the one who's "perfect on paper"...but too complex. They see Wisdom as one who "expects too much," who will hold them accountable and tell them the truth...and they're not ready for it. Something else distracts them--something that still looks sort of pretty because it's just Comfortable or Good Enough. They don't pursue Wisdom and always wonder, "What if...?" They live their lives in regret asking, "What would my life have been like with Wisdom in it?", "Would I have been happier?" and "How could have Wisdom changed me?"

Here's the thing: I don't think you and I want to be in those boats. I don't want to be the one who is just plain intimidated or lazy. I want to be the girl living in love with Wisdom--the girl who is changed by Wisdom (for the better!) even though it might not always be easy or comfortable. Loving Wisdom does take some effort--but when you love something or someone, you're not afraid to go after it and hold on no matter what. Real love requires 100% of your heart.

*Lyrics from "I Don't Trust Myself (with Loving You" by John Mayer.

Tomorrow: Proverbs 7-9

Hide and seek

Today: Acts 16-17

I love little kid games. When I was younger, we played virtually all the traditional ones...Marco Polo, House, Ring Around the Rosy, Red Rover and of course, Hide and Seek.

There are a lot of people who play Hide and Seek their whole lives. Perhaps they have habits or addictions they keep secret from family members and close friends. Or maybe they are really shy or guarded and don't really share who they really are with others. And there are a lot of people who try to play Hide and Seek with God.

I love what Paul says to address that here:

The God who made the world

and everything in it,

this Master of sky and land,

doesn't live in custom-made shrines

or need the human race to run errands for him,

as if he couldn't take care of himself.

He makes the creatures;

the creatures don't make him.

Starting from scratch,

he made the entire human race

and made the earth hospitable,

with plenty of time and space

for living

so we could seek after God,

and not just grope around in the dark

but actually find him.

He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us.

He's not remote; he's near.

We live and move in him, can't get away from him!

Often, Christians talk about the importance of pursuing God. I get their intent. Relationships (with God and people) are always a two-way street--all parties have to prioritize the relationship, make time to talk and listen.

However, just like we can never out-love or out-give God, I believe we can never out-pursue Him. He's just always there. Why do we ever try to hide?

Tomorrow: Acts 18-20