God's Air Traffic Control Tower
Proverbs 29:18, (NIV) Where there is no revelation [vision], people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
We would never consider running through a forest at night. We would not think of servicing the wiring in our electrical panel without knowing how it works. We would not buy a car or a house without carefully considering costs and budgets. What we will do sometimes is make a major decision without praying and consulting the word and wisdom of God.
These four scenarios describe the importance of “revelation” or vision. The New Living Translation uses the phrase, “divine guidance.” Understanding and insight are obviously very important. When you see chaos, confusion, and broken lives, this is usually evidence that “restraint” has been cast off. Not many people, especially children and youth, can restrain themselves from foolish and bad behaviors if there is no guiding influence. No one is born with revelation, vision, or divine guidance. It’s like education––everyone needs it.
One year, we had our church parking lot seal-coated, but the contractor was not able to paint the parking stripes before Sunday service. On Sunday morning, people parked their cars in strange ways, even those who had been parking on the same lot for years! The absence of lines contributed to a lack of restraint, not because of any kind of rebellion, just a lack of structure.
God’s wisdom provides “lines” and a framework for our lives. None of this is designed by God to restrict us. In reality, we are empowered to reach our full potential by being distraction-free. It is comparable to how the airport regulates when/where airplanes take off and land. Pilots don’t shout at controllers in the Control Tower, “Hey, I want to take off NOW on that runway over there!” Everyone’s safety and efficient travel is ensured when pilots follow the instructions of the Control Tower.
God wants to help us in the same way through wisdom and instruction.
[Article from "The House of Wisdom" Devotional by Bryan Hudson]
