Day 19: Rushing In

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. Prov. 19:2

"You rush in where angels fear to tread!" I can hear the words of my high school drafting teacher as if it were yesterday, spoken with a strong Scottish accent. Yet those words ring true, even to today.

There is also a Mexican saying that echoes this truth: La prisa es el enimigo de la perfeccion; Being in a hurry is the enemy of perfection (or a job well done).

There is a balance to be sought out, however, as the perfectionist is often paralyzed by his or her inability to act decisively. They can also be fearful, unwilling to try new things, and stayed in their tradition or practices. That's where wisdom come in.

The Proverbs uses the word 'prudence' to describe a person who is informed, calculated, and a good manager of risk (see 19:14 - the prudent wife is a gift from the Lord). A word picture which helps me to understand this is the train running on its tracks, or the power of a canon ball. Prudence is the tracks or the barrel of the canon which directs the projectile and gives direction and aim.

Zeal and passion need to be directed by knowledge and wisdom, otherwise they can disperse all their energy in a multitude of directions. Those who are spontaneous and risk takers (I include myself in this group) need to surround themselves with wise advisors who will give them balance. Otherwise they will fulfill the words of Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. The wise man seeks out God's wisdom through the written Word, and through the counsel of others.