Hear me now therefore, O ye children...remove thy way far from her...lest strangers be filled with thy wealth...how I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers nor inclined my ear to them that instructed me! (Verses taken from Proverbs 5:7-14)
At one time or another, I am sure that each of us have hated instruction and despised reproof. And, if you're anything like me, you've probably disobeyed as well.
When I was very small and cute, old enough to know better but young enough to be still exploring the world, we had a wood fire in our house. It was winter time so it was kept burning constantly and I was intrigued. To my baby mind it was so pretty, the way the flames danced, and being a small child, I wanted to touch it. Daddy gently shook his head and said, "no". I knew exactly what he meant but I wasn't content to learn from his instruction. I stretched out my hand again. This time the "no" was firmer and Daddy knelt before me and explained why he was restricting me. I heard and I comprehended but I was determined to learn for myself. For a couple of days Mum and Dad let this battle go on, wishing that I would finally learn to obey their counsel but in the end, they had to teach me another way. Dad was there. He saw me reach out that chubby hand. He could have stopped me, but he didn't and I'm sure it made him cringe as I got closer and closer. Of course, we all know what happened as soon as my tender fingers touched the black exterior of the fire-box. Within less then seconds I was screaming in pain and Dad whisked me away to treat my burns and cuddle me and tell me everything was going to be alright.
I finally learnt and important lesson but how much better would it be to have learnt it the easy way! As I grow up I realise that my teachers, my counsellors, they have been in my place before, and it makes sense to hearken to their instruction.
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