Knowing God - Proverbs 14:17

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One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,

and the schemer is hated.

Proverbs 14:17

 

Surely you know what a bell curve is, right? Using this bell shaped graph, pretend we're measuring we're measuring intelligence. In the large center are most people with a few brilliant and less than brilliant people at either extreme. 

 

In our reading for today, scripture tells us about two unfavorable extremes. At the one end are the plotters and schemers. Scripture labels them as despised. At the other end are the people who fail to plot and plan. They are impulsive. Quick tempered. They are resented for an entirely different reason.

 

The question is ... how would you describe the middle?! Rather than quick-tempered, we might define someone as joyful, satisfied, easy-going, and content. And rather than planning, plotting, and scheming, we might say that the joyful, satisfied person does not have an agenda and is not manipulative.

 

Now, in our world today, what percent of people -- would you say -- are satisfied and content rather than impulsive or driving? 

 

I don't know about you, but it seems to me that the bell curve is flattening ... if not flipping. Too many of us are upside down, exhausted, pressing, and uncontent. Peace is discovering the joy of the Lord and rising above the pressures of the world.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to ring the bell

of joy and contentment