And now, a devotional from nature. Its focus: the road to truth, and freedom.
Presented for your perusal, two views of one rose. They're only slightly different, the subtle movement of the camera, a change in the angle. Yet one reveals a wider spread of the petals, suggesting more volume between their reach, while the other speaks of dynamic curves and increased depth. Together they teach us still more, and not just about this individual flower, but a greater issue and ambition: the challenge and value of reasoned judgments in even the simplest of observations.
The Bible offers insight into such things. As Proverbs 18:15 tells us, "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Proverbs 12:15 provides another side to this: "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."
Proverbs 19:20 advances this: "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future." Ephesians 5:15-17 refines this, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Why the Lord?
"Have you not known?" says Isaiah 40:28. "Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable."
You see, He sees things from all perspectives. As 1st Corinthians 1:25 tells us, "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
James 3:17 reveals practical benefits of this for living in our troubled world: "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Proverbs 3:5 brings it home: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
Why? John 8:32 holds that answer: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”