There is a legend from the 1930’s in Tennessee about an old and loathed hermit who decided to throw a funeral for himself while he was still alive. He desired anyone with a story about him to tell it while he was still around to hear it. It eventually became the basis for a pretty entertaining Bill Murray and Robert Duvall movie called “Get Low.” This whole chapter of Proverbs discusses the clear differences of a life of folly contrasted with a life of wisdom. It also shows kind of a reverse picture of the “Get Low” story. Here we learn that many respond to folly and sin in anticipation of a life of celebration, fun, and pleasure only to arrive at the end of that journey at their own funeral. To say sin kills is no exaggeration. It has killed families, marriages, careers, and even gusto and enthusiasm for life. Here is what I find interesting. The life lived in God’s wisdom is not a life of drudgery. It’s not that the life of folly and sin is fun and the life lived in God’s wisdom boring. Jesus came with the promise of an abundant life filled with joy, peace, freedom, and the ultimate celebration. Where folly ends in death, God’s followers end in a huge feast and celebration that goes on throughout eternity. Today, choose life. #BeTheEdge
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” Jesus (John 10:10)