Dave's Diary

I don’t normally post on a Saturday, but this is the final day of 2022, so its worth the exception. It also enables us to complete the book of Proverbs.

Daily Reading: Proverbs 31 and Psalm 1

Proverbs 31 is best know for verses 10-31 which is about “the wife of noble character”. If you want to be a noble wife, or are looking for a noble wife, these verses will be very valuable in a direct way. But I think our general responsibility is to search for those deeper principles that can be applied regardless of whether one is a wife, a husband, or a single person. What can we all learn from this noble wife? Well, let’s simply detach the deeper, underlying character traits from the specific role mentioned by the author.

Taking that approach, these verses teach us that we should all pursue the following characteristics and values: Trustworthiness (v.11), Working unselfishly for the good of others (v.12), Diligence (v.13-15, 27), Wise application of financial resources (v.16), Working with focus and energy (v.17), Combining common sense and perseverance for profit (v.18), Using every available resource effectively (v.19), Generosity (v.20), Forward planning and provision for the future (v.21, 25b), Presentability (v.21-22), Productivity (v.24), Dignity and strength of character (v.25), Wisdom in speech (v.26) and, under-pinning them all, the “fear of the Lord” (v.30) – that common concept of the Book of Proverbs, which is the desire to please God above all else.

With these qualities held up before us, who could ever measure up? Very few of us, I fear. However, they certainly present us with a remarkable standard of everyday living for which to aim as we enter 2023.

Now, as we prepare to enter a brand new year with a deep desire to be pleasing to God, the Ignatian exercise of an Examen is very helpful. An Examen exercise which helps us focus on the entire year can be found HERE. I highly recommend it to you! Just be aware that to do it properly will take an hour or two at the very least. If you choose to do this exercise, a helpful practical tip is to use your diary to help you with the review of the year. Try to identify the highlights and lowlights of the year as part of your reveiw.

There is also an excellent article called Six Questions You Should Ask at the Beginning of 2023 which you might find helpful and challenging.

Lord Jesus, as I enter 2023, I long to walk in deep fellowship with You and to pursue Your purposes and plans for my life. By Your grace, please draw near to me, guide me each day, and lead me in Your Way. Amen.