“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour” (21:21). It’s a simple piece of wisdom but it reminds us that life, for all its complexities, has a foundational purpose that is very simple. God calls us to focus on his purpose and to love other people. If we lose sight of this, we will get lost in all the complexities. Today you will face all sorts of complex situations. Perhaps there will be complex decisions to make. Perhaps there will be things that you will feel are beyond you. There may be things that you don’t have answers for. There may be things that you need to respond to; that you don’t feel you have the faith to deal with. It is in times like this that we need to get that birds-eye view of the simple purpose of life. Pursue righteousness and love. This doesn’t get rid of all the complexities of life, but it does create a filter through which to approach many situations. To do what is right and loving we must think first about what God wants and second what other people need from us. If we begin to think this way, we will transcend our own selfish ambitions and insecurities. It is often these, not God’s purpose, that make situations complex. Let righteousness and love guide you rather than your own ambitions and fears. This will lead you, according to the proverb, to fullness of life, to true prosperity, and you will receive honour from God.
Reflect on your upcoming tasks and appointments in the light of this principle.
Read Proverbs 21:10-21
