Living Wisely #8—Wisely Chosen

Go to the ant, O sluggard. Observe her ways and be wise. Notice that, having no chief, officer or ruler, she prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6–8

For a regret-free future, take the initiative now. We live wisely when we see what needs to be done to secure a good future for our community and then do it, without waiting to be told. For example, when he was a mere private soldier, no one came to the Sergeant Major with an assignment to pursue more responsibility. Similarly, no one told the high school senior, “We’ll need more officers in ten years, so you’ll have to start preparing to be one.” Perception of need, coupled with a love for the community and an understanding of our personal giftedness prompts us to make these decisions; and these factors should prompt similar decisions in other areas. When wisdom causes us to live this way, we can expect to be happier than if we foolishly ignore the preparations we should make to insure a good future for as many as we can. Jesus confirmed this when he declared, “Those who give will experience more joy than those who merely receive.” Certainly, we must count the cost of our ventures, for this too is wise. But this shouldn’t stop us from taking the initiative; it should only help us focus our efforts, so we achieve the results we envision.

Extravagant Creator, thank you for such a vivid example of the benefits of living wisely. Move me to apply the instructions of this lowly teacher to my life today. Amen.