I love cliches (said with sarcasm). Simple one-line theological musings. Ideas like "keep the faith", "practice makes perfect", "pursue your passions" seem to give quick fixes to complex dilemmas. Benjamin Franklin was the father of American cliches. If you've ever read Poor Richards Almanac, you'd know what I'm talking about. Miriam Webster's Dictionary defines a cliche as "a trite phrase or expression; something (as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace."
The other day I received an email asking for some counsel. This person was concerned about following God's will for their life. They were worried because they knew "in God's time" they would do what God called them to do. However, they weren't sure of the what? and when?. After they shared a few other "spiritual" cliches, ie... "He doesn't call those who are qualified, but qualifies those who are called or something like that..right?" They were left wondering if some light would burst from heaven and let them know they should walk into an opportunity for ministry. After sharing with them some "biblical" advice, ie... 2 Timothy 2:15, they thanked me for giving more clarity to the situation. Am I knocking the approach of waiting on a "still small voice" or a loud boom from God?? NO!!! We have had our share of those experiences, but more often than not, it was patiently walking our faith and learning what we could that has led us into the call God has in our lives. No one-liner could ever describe the journey of life.
So whats the point of this post then? 1. Practical advice ought to be practical. 2. Know the Word of God. It is the wisdom of the ages, after all. 3. If your going to use a cliche, make sure there is substance to the rest of what you say. Otherwise, your wisdom will end up trite and unprofitable.
Remember the words of Poor Richard, "Here comes the Orator, with his flood of words, and his drop of reason."
The other day I received an email asking for some counsel. This person was concerned about following God's will for their life. They were worried because they knew "in God's time" they would do what God called them to do. However, they weren't sure of the what? and when?. After they shared a few other "spiritual" cliches, ie... "He doesn't call those who are qualified, but qualifies those who are called or something like that..right?" They were left wondering if some light would burst from heaven and let them know they should walk into an opportunity for ministry. After sharing with them some "biblical" advice, ie... 2 Timothy 2:15, they thanked me for giving more clarity to the situation. Am I knocking the approach of waiting on a "still small voice" or a loud boom from God?? NO!!! We have had our share of those experiences, but more often than not, it was patiently walking our faith and learning what we could that has led us into the call God has in our lives. No one-liner could ever describe the journey of life.
So whats the point of this post then? 1. Practical advice ought to be practical. 2. Know the Word of God. It is the wisdom of the ages, after all. 3. If your going to use a cliche, make sure there is substance to the rest of what you say. Otherwise, your wisdom will end up trite and unprofitable.
Remember the words of Poor Richard, "Here comes the Orator, with his flood of words, and his drop of reason."