The Danger of Drifting

15) The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going. 16) A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently ( rudeness, arrogance; lack of respect) and is [presumptuously] confident. ~ Proverbs 14:15-16

One fine afternoon, my best friend and I came upon an abandoned boat floating in the river. The paddles were broken, but that wasn't much deterrent for a pair of teenage boys. We shoved off and drifted down the river talking, joking, and carrying on. I'm not sure how much time passed as we floated aimlessly along, but we knew we were in trouble when a loud roar reached our ears. Up ahead, water was rushing over the dam. Panicked, we grabbed the broken paddles and pulled hard against the current. We managed to get close enough to the shore to safely jump out into shallow water, but the boat went over the edge. What started out as pure fun nearly ended in disaster.

That's exactly what is happening to a lot of people today. What begins as fun and pleasure ends in shipwreck because people drift along, neglecting to think ahead or notice how fast they're moving away from the safety of the Lord's plan. According to the prevailing attitude of modern society, God's not needed as long as the stream runs smoothly. In other words, when income is good, family is safe, and health is stable, going with the flow seems fine. But in reality, a drifting man is being swept along on dangerous anti-Christ and anti-church currents.

Today's passage reveals that the wise look to the future to avoid ruin. Let me put it another way: Drifting is foolish. In countless arenas of life--marriage, family, vocation, finances, etc.--we need a clear destination and navigation plan if we expect to be successful. God provides both (Prov. 3:6).
 
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn