Proverbs 10:23 Becoming_

A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭NIV

‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬The fool, (literally, “fat”) or stupid, silly man, finds sport, or laughter, or pleasure, in not only doing something bad, but planning or scheming about it. Compare that to the delight of the person of discernment or understanding. His goal is wisdom.

It’s a lot of fun to laugh at silly things. Watching people do stupid things reminds me of how I feel sometimes when I do stupid things. But when my heart is inclined to plan and do bad things for the pleasure of it, what have I become? The most amazing thing, in comparison, is when my heart has been trained by wisdom, to seek wisdom, and know her ways. I still like to laugh at funny stuff, but if given a choice, I will lean instead toward the pleasure builds and supports.

This proverb is about becoming. When I become something different than the one who values empty laughter producing meaningless results, I distinguish myself, whether or not I want to. I value the solution. The clever answer. The word that was not spoken. The covering of another. The thing that helps. I may not be the rambunctious rowdy that is known for fun and making others laugh, but hopefully I’ve become what my son, or those I mentor may look up to.

It’s easy to break something. It’s a lot tougher to create it. Because there are men and women who have valued wisdom over a cheap laugh, I enjoy the fruit of their work today. The Spirit of God within me compels me to be like Christ. To be a lover. One who restores. Forgives. And waits on my Father to look at his face and know him and to have his values fully implanted in my heart. Because of this, I simply don’t have time to spend planning something for sheer comedy or mocking (usually).