Some things seem obvious.

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We went to Arizona recently and toured their peculiar gardens of prickly plants. Eventually there is a beauty there if you look long enough. It’s actually quite remarkable how God made plants that can thrive in the desert. There were many signs around to educate us about various garden denizens. Most of these signs held deep information. This one… not so much. I wondered at the person who ordered the sign. They went to all that trouble to get it printed. They had someone install it. It has been there for years. I would think this is a pretty obvious and not so helpful description.

However, some obvious things do need to be said over and over. If you have children you know this… “Put on your coat.” “Don’t play in the street.” “Don’t put that in your mouth.” And I am thankful for the obvious things that God speaks to my heart, often over and over. I need to hear them again. It still amazes me that when I hear them for the umpteenth time, they can sound so new and profound even though they ought to be completely obvious.

“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 2:1-5 New American Standard Bible

“Make your ear attentive to wisdom.” Well, DUH! But on the other hand, my ear is so often not attentive to wisdom. I get busy. I’m a creature of habit. I follow the ruts of my life down the same dead end paths. It takes an obvious sign to make me stop, pause, listen, and incline my ear to God again. His Word is full of wisdom. When I fool myself into thinking that I’ve heard it all before and I know it already, I need Him to remind me again that wisdom comes from Him, even if it is super obvious.

Copyright David Brukiewa