2016 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67



These devotional messages are personalized as messages to Ray's granddaughter, Samara.

03 February 2017

Good morning, Mara.

We’re more acutely feeling the mounting pressure of getting our acts together—to prepare for this complicated challenge to be away for three whole months. There are so many bases to cover! Some are cropping up that were never previously anticipated.

Thano just came in. I think it’s time for us to have a conference where we discuss and list out some of the outstanding immediate objectives before us.

Have a great day, Samara. Be good. Let your light shine.

Love, Tua.


Proverbs 3
Focus: “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” Proverbs 3:13-14.

If wisdom is only for MEN, well, sorry, Samara, I guess you’re left out. You’re not a man. Right? Wrong! Well, it’s right that you’re not a man—but it’s wrong that WISDOM is only for MEN. Of course you understand that I’m just playing with words. You understand that WISDOM is actually UNISEX—not gender specific.

As I read this passage between verses 13 and 18, I find myself discerning a subtle yet loud and clear indication of gender attractions—which, of course, is a universal and well-known phenomenon within the realm of human relationships. Generally speaking, men are attracted to women—women are attracted to men—with the God-designed ideal to marry for life. The wording in this passage leads me to formulate a principle that I will try to phrase this way: MAKE WISDOM YOUR SPOUSE—TO HAVE AND TO HOLD TILL DEATH DO YOU PART (which is NEVER). IN THE SAME WAY THAT A MAN IS ATTRACTED TO A WOMAN SO AS TO MAKE HER HIS LIFE PARTNER, MAKE SURE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO WISDOM TO MAKE HER YOUR LIFE PARTNER. And, of course, you have to recognize that in so doing, you will be partnering with God—your very MAKER. Wow! How is it even possible for a marriage like that to fail?!?!

Lots of dots can be connected here. Hmm—what is one of the most common expressions made between a man and a woman in love?—who want their relationship to be lifelong? Is it not something like, “I love you with all of my heart”? Is it not very significant that that is precisely what our Maker seeks as an authentic expression from His human creatures? Is it not significant that right here in this chapter is a profound component of that expression—along with a profound promise? Of course I’m speaking of verses 5 and 6. I’ll end there:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~