Sunday School Lesson for Sept. 4, 2011: Pursuing Righteousness (Proverbs 3)

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.







September marks the beginning of a new year for the International Sunday School Lesson Standard. I was pleased to find that this year’s lesson schedule starts in the Book of Proverbs. Particularly, Proverbs, Chapter 3. There are several verses within this chapter that contain principles that are foundational in Christian thinking. So much so, that you learn them early, quote them often and recall them first when decision points in life arise. The verse above is one such verse. If there is one critical principle that need be applied in the life of the believer daily, it is intimated in the scripture above; that God is the center of all, and that we should acknowledge Him at every bend in the path of Life.

While discussing the lesson with Eric, I offered an illustration that I’d like to share with you. Last week, my wife and I had an appointment to see her doctor. She has very recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and on that particular day she had a number of tests to undergo as we prepare for surgery (coming next week). The tests ran longer than expected, into early afternoon. In addition, Patsy (my wife) would require further tests in Richardson the next day. We live in Lewisville, and because she is unfamiliar with Richardson, I decided, that rather than return to work, I would take the remainder of the afternoon off and take her to find the testing center in Richardson ahead of time, so that she wouldn’t have to deal with the added stress of trying to find the location in unfamiliar surroundings. I recently purchased a new truck and it is equipped with the ONSTAR navigational system (you think you know where this is going, don’t you? :)). I really enjoy the GPS feature of ONSTAR, I push the button, tell the ONSTAR attendant where I want to go, they download the directions to my vehicle and away we go. In my illustration to Eric, I was describing how that when I use this GPS feature, I don’t ‘think’ anymore about my eventual destination, I just enjoy the journey. I don’t ‘check out’ intellectually, I’m still driving responsibly, still watching the road, observing my surroundings, but I’m not ‘sweating’ my eventual arrival. I know I’ll get there. At this moment my hands are working, I’m searching for the right words, trying to express the thought as best I can when Eric stops me and with a soft chuckle say’s, “ Do you know what you just described?” “What?”, I asked. “Peace” , he replied. The moment he ‘spoke’ it, I ‘felt’ it. A wave of ‘Peace’ swept over me. The very peace I was attempting to describe, or a shadow of it. At that moment I was struck by the feeling I was experiencing versus the day to day stress that I feel as life’s daily challenges roll my way. Eric’s next comment was as profound,. As I was describing this very prescient moment, he said, “You know why you feel that?” “ Because you over rode ….. you!” He was exactly right! Though I claim that I’m some what a mature believer, I can fall prey to succumbing, little by little over time, to the pressure of trying to maintain control of my life and responsibilities. Little by little peace, real peace, the Peace of God escapes me. If I’m not continually focused on God, I can begin to focus on the ‘stuff’ that surrounds me and the Serenity that God promises me in His Holy Word will escape me. What must I do?

Beloved, as we start this year’s sessions, let’s remember to, on a daily basis, spend a few quality moments seeking the face of our Father. A few moments, everyday, to acquire from our Father God the Peace that surpasses understanding, the Wisdom that surpasses knowledge. For a few quality moments everyday, let us taste from the fruit of the Tree of Life, partake of the Fruit of the Spirit so that, as life’s challenges come our way, we may exhibit the character of Christ and experience the Peace He gives to all that will hold on to His unchanging Hand. I’m dancing in the ‘Holy Ghost’ with his sleeves hanging off the ends of my arms:)



Blessings,



.wb





P.S. Please keep our family in your prayers. Patsy has some challenges ahead, but it’s not our first rodeo. The beauty of the Christian experience over time is that God shows up time after time. And, He’s always ‘right on time’. When you’ve walked with Him for a while, you come to know, really know that He’s willing and that He’s able. He’s able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask, or really even think. Isn’t that ‘Good News’? Be encouraged Beloved. We are.



Shalom (Peace) :)