Day 361

Zechariah 10:1–11:17; Revelation 18:1-24; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 30:33

How quickly Christmas has come and gone, and life has probably begun to offer hints of normalcy returning. As we mentioned yesterday, however, there is one distinction that is unique during the week between Christmas and New Year’s —our hearts naturally sense a new beginning coming. Because of this, we begin to consider the trajectory of our lives more than at any other time of the year. This is the time that we renew gym memberships, contemplate spirituality, or consider working harder at our marriages. It’s when we muse about what we’re going to do, become, achieve, or withdraw from in the coming year.

As we consider necessary and desired resolutions, the book of Proverbs can be an invaluable resource. It leads us deeper toward the source of our desire for change. Too often, our New Year’s resolutions are overbalanced toward our exterior lives (we want to lose some weight, get a promotion at work, or declutter our homes), but Proverbs can be an indispensable companion as we contemplate the deeper matters of the soul —and consider our motives for making changes. It provides wisdom that has stood the test of time and has remained valid and true through many a New Year’s Day.

For example, our reading from Proverbs today is compact, stark, direct, and elegant in the way it tells us what is obvious —but what we often ignore: “As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels” (Proverbs 30:33).

Indeed, if we churn cream it will yield butter, and yes, if we are punched in the nose, a bloody scene will follow. We would all agree with this and might even consider Proverbs to be stating obvious fact rather than offering wisdom. If those are natural facts, however, then so is the rest of the verse —stirring up anger causes quarrels.

Let’s consider: Would we prefer more or less conflict in the coming year? Proverbs tells us how to achieve either goal. If we thrive on turmoil in our lives, then we should stir up more anger. Conversely, if we would like to reduce quarreling in the new year, then we should stir up less anger. It’s simple.

To be clear, there are times we may be required to step into a critical situation that might include confrontation. Eliminating all anger will not eliminate all conflict. However, Proverbs is talking about intentionality. Churning butter is an intentional act, as is punching someone in the nose. Deliberately stirring up anger by provoking another person —whether a spouse, child, coworker, or the person who cut in front of us at the 75-percent-off sale —is nothing more than picking a fight. If we’re going to instigate a quarrel, then we’re going to get one.

If we will incorporate this wisdom into our lives, it will rescue us from unnecessary conflict. When we avoid unnecessary conflict, we will have far more peace and continuity in our relationships, and we can pursue more meaningful and fruitful goals.

As we’re making our resolutions, let’s remember Proverbs as a guide toward changes that will fundamentally shift the way we live into the new year. Our other resolutions will all have a far better chance of success if we first take inventory of our interior lives and change from the inside out.

MEDITATION:

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.