“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” Mark 6:4
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“So, have you been following that diet I emailed you?” John checks his stopwatch and nods for me to start my second set of squats.
“I guess.” I hastily huff back; rolling my eyes as soon as he isn’t looking.
The truth of the matter is: I’ve ‘loosely’ been following my husband’s eating plan. I must admit that I haven’t been exactly dogmatic about John’s wisdom. The problem is…
Although John has graced over a dozen fitness magazine covers, is one of the top trainers in the Midwest and has a degree in exercise physiology with a minor in nutrition (bla, bla, bla…), this hasn’t really done much to impress me—his wife.
For some reason, all logic goes out the door when John tries telling me what to do at the gym. He’s especially annoying when monitoring my diet. Granted, it makes no difference if I’ve actually asked for his advice in the first place!
This is going to sound cruel, but heck, I’m just going to say it–when John trains me at the gym, sometimes (actually, most of the time…) it makes me feel like withholding making dinner for him. Yes, I’m for real, here…
Sure, I’ll muster up a plain chicken breast, but forget me cooking anything John might actually enjoy. Hey, if he’s going to make me suffer, it’s only natural for me to want to inflict a little ‘pain’ back…right?
Oh, yes, I realize this is so wrong on so many levels…very ‘un-Christian’ of me, I know. I’m very aware of the fact that I’m in a position most woman would half envy. Not only do I get the wisdom of an experienced athlete, I also get to go home with him as well. (Wink, wink!)
Unfortunately, my poor attitude has gotten in the way of taking full advantage of all the wisdom my husband shares with me. I know John has my best interest in mind. He has proven to be correct on countless occasions. Yet, it’s still within my natural tendency to reject the wisdom that comes from him more often than I should.
Perhaps it’s the immediate availability or maybe it’s the familiarity of our relationship that makes John’s brilliance seem…well…less important. If this isn’t pathetic, I don’t know what is!
Jesus Himself told us in Mark 6:4 that a prophet is not accepted in his own country.
This verse was meant to encourage those who have found true freedom in a personal relationship with Christ. This because many followers of Christ have tried to share the gospel with their loved ones and have suffered severe rejection by doing so. Although their friends and family have witnessed some radical changes they still choose to ignore the revelations that are before them.
Why is this? I personally think that Proverbs 16:18 gives us the answer.
Many of us don’t want to admit that someone else could have the answers we have been searching for. Instead of humbly admitting this and growing from the wisdom and experience of another, we actually hold ourselves back from our own success.
If we can’t learn from the lessons of other people, then that means we must learn from our own personal experience. Our own mistakes will now have to be the hard teachers to our great lessons in life.
How much heartache, pain and wasted time could be saved if we were just humble in the first place?
For one to gain true wisdom, we must come to terms that there is always something more that we can learn. Who is the prophet that has been speaking wisdom in your life? When will you be ready to listen?
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have been turning down much wisdom because it has been coming from people that aren’t perfect. This is just silly! No one is perfect, but many people have great wisdom that I can learn from if I just open my heart to actually listening.
Lord, break this spirit of pride within me. I cast out the spirit of self-righteousness. I cannot grow or learn if I am activating in any of these attitudes or mindsets.
Give me a humble heart to see that I cannot reach my greatest potential on my own. I must be wise and learn from the mistakes and experiences of others.
Lord, in your word there is a plethora of wise sages and foolish people. The scope of lessons in the Bible is so vast. I can learn so much from these examples you have given to me.
Light my eyes to see what lessons I can learn from the men and woman in the Bible. Give me a passion to search through the scriptures and reap the wisdom that will cause others to turn to me for sound advice. When the do, I will send them right back to you and your Word.
I give you all the glory and praise you for your patience in dealing with a wise fool like me. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Mark 6:4 and Proverbs 16:18
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan