Proverbs 4:18-19

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what they stumble over.”

I think that self-awareness and self-discernment are gifts of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because when we are open to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, He brings awareness and discernment into our lives, shining His holy light on that which we need to see.

“. . . they do not know what they stumble over.”

Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t know why my life is the way it is?” (Have you ever said or thought that yourself?) We used to work in an assistance ministry. People would come in for help with food, clothing, and furniture. Often, they seemed confused (and then angry about their confusion) because they couldn’t understand why their lives were the way they were. They blamed fate, society, those around them on their circumstances. Many wanted more and more and more and yet that wasn’t enough.

I remember one young mom. She had three children (different dads; no husband in the home). She was destitute and needed food, diapers, assistance with her utilities. And yet, when we dropped off the things to her home (she didn’t have a car), we found full cable hook-up, a big screen TV, cigarettes, liquor. She had no idea why her life was such that her children were starving. And yet, she was spending the money she did have like there was no tomorrow. There was a real lack of objectivity, of self-awareness, of discernment. She didn’t realize (couldn’t realize? wouldn’t realize?) that her very choices were the reasons for her circumstances.

“ . . . they do not know what they stumble over.”

Is this me? I think so sometimes. There are sinful habits with which I struggle, and yet, if I am brutally honest with myself, I will admit that I haven’t yet taken these habits to the Throne and surrendered them there. There is a “way of wicked[ness]” within me that remains still. I stumble around in the deep darkness, feeling helpless and not knowing what I’m stumbling over. I haven’t yet allowed the light of the Spirit into that corner of my life.

I need to do that.

The encouragement for me comes in the first phrase: “which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” In other words, the path of the righteous—my path—is a process, a journey. It isn’t a one-time-thank-you-ma’am experience. It is somewhere I must walk, one foot at a time, heading toward that Light which is my Savior. My goal must be to face the Light and take that one step today.

© 2008 Robin L. O’Hare. All Rights Reserved. International copyright reserved. This study may be copied for nonprofit and/or church purposes only without permission when copied in its entirety (including this notice).