Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3 continues the theme of the benefits of acquiring wisdom and the folly of evil. The famous verse that has comforted many is Proverbs 3:5-6;
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways submit to him,
And he will make your paths straight.”
“Leaning” brings to mind the cute Christmas movie, “While You Were Sleeping.” The female hero, Lucy, is given flowers by the guy downstairs, Joe Jr., but the man who is falling in love with her, Jack, sees her hug Joe Jr. and accuses her of “leaning.”
Lucy : [to Jack] Okay, um. What do you mean by the leaning thing? You mean because he gave me flowers?
Jack : And then you *leaned*
Lucy : And then I leaned.
Jack : Yeah.
Lucy : Okay, how did I lean when I leaned?
Jack : It was a lot different from hugging. Hugging’s very different. Hugging that involves arms and hands; and leaning is whole bodies moving in like this
Jack : . Leaning involves *wanting*… and *accepting*. *Leaning*…
What a beautiful description of spiritual leaning on Jesus. It is more than hugging and involves wanting, accepting and leaning, perhaps depending.
Are we embracing our own wisdom that comes from a self desire and self understanding foundation or are we leaning into the Word of God? Are we wanting to hear from him daily by reading Scripture or listening to music or just spending time in prayer and meditation? Are we accepting what we receive in an excited way and not arguing with God? Are we leaning into God or away from him? The proverb says that as we lean on God, submit to his authority, he makes our ways straight. I think that means clearer and more understandable. Leaning involves trusting God.
A fun chorus was written based on “Leaning” that kids learn in Sunday school and often has the audience all lean to the left and then all to the right through the song. Enjoy and never forget that we can lean on God!
On the Way to Wonder 