Misplaced Confidence

While watching a uniformed man purposefully waving a flag from the roof of our hotel in India, my wife, Pamela, confidently exclaimed, "I am sure it is a Hindu ritual!" Forcefully and with a stubborn confidence I responded, "No! I am sure the flag waving has some political purpose, but it is not a religious ritual!!" The resulting conversation continued in disagreement - each certain that we were right.

While walking later that same day, Pamela and I encountered the uniformed flag-waving man. Wanting vindication for myself, I eagerly approached him, asking, "Why were you waving the flag?" "Oh" he explained, "I was chasing pigeons away from the hotel." Sheepishly, we walked on laughing at our own silliness and humbled by our false confidence. There was one who knew the reason for the flag waving - the flag waver.

The lesson I learned - to consult the one who knows. As a follower of Jesus, I often fail to consult the One who knows all since He created all - such foolishness and silliness on my part.

The writer of Proverbs entreats us,

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil." (Proverbs 3:7 NIV)

Join me this week in consulting the One who knows rather than leaning on our own understanding. Let us trade foolishness for Wisdom!

Sharing the journey with you,