The KEY to life…Do you have it?

                   Proverbs 4:13 

Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.

If I were to write this Proverb in a way that would show its proper emphasis, it would look like this:

Proverbs 4:13 take Hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she IS your life.

This book of wisdom consistently encourages us, commands us and even warns us that how we treat wisdom (instruction) will dramatically impact our life! This particular one really brings home how important our attitude concerning wisdom should be. When we state that something “IS” with the emphasis on “IS” we are claiming that what we are talking about is absolutely essential. Another popular word we could use is the word “Key.” When we think of the word “Key” what comes to mind? Here are two meanings for this word:

a. Important aspect: the aspect of something that, once understood, provides a full understanding or explanation of the whole;

b. Means: a way or means of achieving something.

Both meanings help us to get the point of this Proverb.

If we want to open a door…we need the Key! When a passage admonishes us to understand that God’s instructions are the “Key” to opening the door to life, we would do well to pay attention to what that means.

If we hold onto the instructions by God concerning what is important and we guard them, i.e. we do not allow the world’s wisdom to water down God’s Truth, this gives us the key to life. How? When God speaks of life, He is not limiting it to the beating of our heart and the filling of our lungs with air…Quality, Fulfillment, and Peace are essential (Key) to what God calls life. There are far too many examples, but let’s consider just a few:

The world will lead you to be overly concerned with just the basics of “existence” and drive you to anxiety, stress and ulcers. Your focus can become consumed with these things and you lose the joy and peace of life ending up as a slave to things. God’s wisdom gives us the “Key” to handling this aspect of life: 

Matthew 6:25–34 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them… “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these...“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’… for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

We can choose to fret and spend the majority of our time trying to make sure we have enough “stuff” to remove our worry. How unrealistic! In 1929 some of the richest people in the world lost everything in a twinkling of an eye! God instructs us to spend our time Pursuing Him, allowing Him to be concerned about our needs.

Another tremendous weight we carry in this life is dealing with those that hurt us and the anger that brings. Again, the world speaks about “looking out for number one!” “Do unto others BEFORE they do it to you!” Wisdom offers a different approach:

Matthew 5:23–24 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:26–27 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

The secret wisdom shares, is that unforgiveness and anger hurt us more than the other person! In this world people will hurt you, you cannot control that…BUT you can control how you respond to that! When you choose to forgive and refuse to allow anger to take hold of your life, you sleep well at night. It is amazing the damage anger and bitterness can produce. I knew a man that was so mad at another person he had a stroke! Meanwhile the other person was sleeping just fine…he had forgiven, refused to allow anger a foothold and moved on. When you refuse to forgive and must have your “pound of flesh” you will find that you are the one that pays that pound!

One last one, and it is most likely the greatest stressor and joy stealer in life. Our Main purpose for our life, and what will happen after death. The “here and now” the world offers never satisfies, and late at night, when we are alone, our thoughts betray our false peace. “Why am I here?” and “What will happen to me after I die?” These questions steal our sleep and are replaced by fear and anxiety. Again, wisdom speaks directly to this:

Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Wisdom preaches: “keep the main thing, the main thing!” When we have settled Who is in charge of our life and where do we desire to spend eternity, the joy, peace, and purpose of life take hold of us.

God’s Truth brings full understanding to what is really important in life, so we don’t see life as moments, but as the whole, from beginning to eternity! Following God’s Truth is the way we achieve a life that is full, not just an existence! We have that key, USE IT! Unlock that door and grab the life God has planned for you!

The so what? Do you have a relationship with the One that created you? What is that base on? What guides your life? Do you seek God’s wisdom from God’s Word? What is the standard you live by? In your view, what is the difference between God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom? If someone were to ask you, “What is the KEY to really enjoy life?” what would your answer be? Is that Key giving you peace and security for the future?