Kelly - Proverbs 26

Fools and sluggards....

So many of today's verses seemed just weird. vv. 4 and 5 - "do not answer a fool according to his folly.....answer a fool according to his folly" I have no idea what the intended course of action should be. And v. 12 "there is more hope for a fool than for [a man wise in his own eyes]" - while that verse makes some sense, it seems to have been written down by someone who was wise in his own eyes, at least enough so to presume to pass on these adages for the generations.

The end of the chapter talks about those who "talk a good game" - whose fervent lips can conceal a deceitful heart. I have had a good deal of experience with people who can talk a good game - whose passion fires me up, and whose follow-through is non-existent. Some of the best preachers I've ever heard are people I try to keep at arm's length, because working together will inevitably mean that I'm doing all the work.

On the flip side, though, I wonder sometimes if my own actions tend to be an over-reaction to this reality. I want to be the type of person who can be relied on, who follows through, and whose deepest convitions are seen in my daily life - not necessarily talked about. And so I don't always bother to talk about the things that matter most. I try to show my life, my faith, my hopes and dreams. But by not always talking about them, I allow for those around me to be ignorant of where I stand. Because people aren't always watching and paying attention. Sometimes I need to put a label on my life - put words to my actions and motivations.