WISDOM FOR PURPOSEFUL PROGRESS

"But the path of the just is as the SHINING LIGHT, that shineth  more and more unto the perfect day” – Proverbs 4:18, KJV

GOD is the Author of Light – WISDOM for PURPOSEFUL PROGRESS: “But the path of the just is as the SHINING LIGHT, that shineth  more and more unto the perfect day” (Pro.4:18, KJV). This scripture depicts the Believer’s Path of Progress in Life. Progress infers forward or upward movement, advancement, improvement or headway in one or more aspects of life. It takes the Light of Wisdom to make progress in life. Absence of light equals darkness, lack of direction, hindered movement, going round in circles, and possible stagnation. Progress is a Sign of Life! Progress is vital to living. Stagnancy is contrary to living; it is a portrait of death; an emblem of the embalmed. The living move; the dead dont move – they are static and still.

The devil wants to stagnate us; God’s Will is to accelerate us in life by removing Satannic burdens and yokes: “It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil” (Isa.10:27). It often takes a Push to make a Move and a Move to make a Mark. It takes Power to make Progress. The Holy Spirit endows us with “POWER” for progress and increasing circles of influence (Acts 1:8). But we must make moves to make our mark! Jesus, our Master and Model “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).                                                                                                                                         

God programmes and empowers His people for Progress. He designed us for development in all aspects of life: “They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion” (Psa.84:7). All other aspects – mental, physical,social –hinge on the spiritual (3 Jh. 2). However, a vital part of Power for Progress is the Light of Wisdom: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa.119:105). It is time to ask: Am I making steady personal progress in destiny? Let’s take stock in time, before the inevitable rendering of accounts in eternity (Rom.14:12). Here are few Wisdom nuggets:

Seek for and Choose the Way of Wisdom: “Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many.
I have taught you in the WAY of WISDOM I have led you in right paths” (vv.10-11). This Way assures of longevity, unimpeded steps in walking, and steady strides while running (v.12). Keeping tenaciously to Instruction preserves life (v.13).

Shun the Way of the Wicked, Evil and Sin: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (vv.14-15). Refuse to “follow a crowd to do evil” (vv. 16-17; Exo.23:2). Avoid sin at all costs. It’s foolish. It does not pay off. It does not deliver what it promises. You’d only be a fool to pursue it.

Be Wholly Attentive to God’s Words: “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your EAR to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your EYES; keep them in the midst of your HEART” (vv.20-21). Wisdom is life and health to those who find her (v.22). Verses 23-27 are instructions directed to specific body parts and functions: the heart (v.23); mouth (v.24); eyes (v.25); and feet (v.26-27). God’s Wisdom is designed to shape all of life – who we are, what we say, what we look at, and where we go!

Progress must be propelled by Purpose: “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you” (v.25). We cannot trade Purpose or Vision for anything else. Real Progress is in the direction of Purpose!

Above all else, Progress is a Heart Matter; from there “flow the springs of life” (v.23). Above every other responsibility – our responsibility to make money, earn a living, care for our health, or make progress – we must guard our hearts, and protect who we are inwardly. Life is fundamentally an Inside Affair! God will always make a Way for our Progress (Isa.43:18,19).