More than a captive audience . . .

TODAY’S PROVERB: Have I not written to you thirty sayings of admonition and knowledge, to show you true and reliable words, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? Proverbs 22:20-21, TLV

He wore a prison uniform, clutching the Bible we had given him. Tears fell from his eyes as he looked expectantly toward me. The chaplain said I could have a few minutes to say something to him.

Knowing this young man would be released back into society in a few months, the only thing I knew to share was reading a chapter of Proverbs each day for the rest of his life.

His eyes registered confusion — or maybe he just thought, “Proverbs? Really?”

I shared my testimony of feeling stupid during my childhood and well into adulthood. Learning disabilities made me feel like an outsider among my peers. I was good at faking — acting like I fully understood — but I missed important information. As a result, I made a lot of stupid decisions that while weren’t illegal, they were costly.

One day I read the passage in James 1:5 that says “. . . if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him.” It was then that I realized I could ask for wisdom. I didn’t just ask, I begged Him to make me wise.

The young man focused. His two friends began listening.

I continued: Years later, a pastor gave a message about wisdom and how he read a chapter of proverbs each day. Aha! I knew that was the key. Reading Proverbs — the wisdom chapters. And, that’s when my life began changing.

Then, I said that as you become wise, others will come to you for counsel. They will seek you out, because you’re wise.

The young man nodded and smiled. He wiped his tears, shook my hand firmly, and whispered, “Thank you.”

It wasn’t a long conversation, but I pray those words of truth will stay with him as they have with me.

May we give a true answer, my friends.

Proverbs 22:20-21 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs