"The person who loves correction loves knowledge, but anyone who hates a rebuke is stupid." Proverbs 12:1 ISV
Last Saturday, Dave Jones, from Hanson, Ky, crossed the finish line of the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon to come one race closer to his goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states and on all seven continents in one year. And while he admits that being over 6-feet tall and weighing 235 pounds makes running painful, he says he continues because running helped him kick a long-time nicotine addiction, lose weight and satisfies his desire to achieve difficult goals. Knowing that his endeavor is a wild one, Dave relates his wife's answer whenever she's asked about it: "He's an idiot." A title that he says, he can't necessarily disagree with.
And while Jones and his wife can laugh about him being a self-proclaimed "idiot", the Bible is clear that an idiot, or stupid person, is one title we should never seek to claim. You see, "anyone who hates a rebuke", or refuses constructive criticism or advice from others, is unwilling to learn and better themselves and will remain "stupid". On the other hand, "the person who loves correction” will seek “knowledge” from others and continue to learn and grow in their understanding of the Bible and, therefore, become a wiser person.
So while you and I may, like Dave, be an "idiot" in our running pursuits, may we be shrewd in our pursuit of knowledge. May we graciously accept discipline and correction when necessary and learn all we can from the wisdom of others.
Heavenly Father, thank you for being so patient with us when we are "stupid" and let pride get in the way of our acceptance of advice and well-intentioned criticism that would serve to make us wiser. Help us to humble ourselves that we might listen and learn from others and broaden and deepen our understanding of the Word. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Lay down my pride - Jeremy Camp
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