Do You Know Florence?
If you live in the United States of America, or at least on the eastern half of the United States, you are probably familiar with who Florence is. We heard her name for days before she ever made her entrance into our country. We knew a great deal about her – her strength, her potential for damage, and the assurance of her arrival. We were warned over and over about what she might do when she arrived.
Florence came to our country and she lived up to her reputation. She was strong and she was damaging. Many on our eastern coast are still suffering from the wind and rain damage that she brought when she came.
But it’s those warnings that I want to talk about – those warnings that protected life for those who heeded them, and brought death to many who did not heed them. These were warnings that came from people in authority who had the experience and equipment to predict how devastating she was going to be.
And I just can’t understand it. Why would you not listen to the warnings and do what was necessary to save your life?
The answer is simple. For as long as man has been in existence there have been those who did not listen and heed the warnings.
In the very earliest pages of the Bible, the first man and woman failed to heed God’s warning concerning the fruit of one particular tree. Their lives were spared, but they were cast out of the garden and separated from God. From that point on, the Bible is full of those who failed to heed the warnings given to them by a loving and merciful God who only wants what is best for mankind in this life and the promise of a better life to come.
As I have studied the book of Proverbs lately, I have been reminded of the many warnings which the book contains. One particular instance is found in Proverbs 4:13-15. A contrast is drawn here between hanging on to the wise instruction you have been given and guarding it because it is your life and the warnings against entering the path of the wicked. The wise man uses statements like: “Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not walk in the way of the evil.” He also uses phrases like: “avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it…”
Chapter 4 also includes a section (verses 20-27) that reminds me of the Bible School song, “Be Careful Little Eyes.” The writer talks about listening carefully to wise words and keeping them in your heart. He goes on to talk about guarding your lips and focusing your eyes on what is directly ahead of you. He concludes this chapter with the admonition to “ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” In other words, “make your path level,” “think about the path you are on.”
What wise warnings – for all of us.
But will we – just like those who failed to heed the warnings concerning Florence – fail to heed God’s warnings found in His word?
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
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AUTHOR: Donna Faughn
