Nothing But Sin and Bones

Orchids Galore! Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Copyright 2012: singeronthesand

Why would you allow strangers to take advantage of you?

Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you?

You don't want to end your life full of regrets,

nothing but sin and bones.

Proverbs 5:10-11 [The Message] 

I just about laughed myself silly when I read this passage this morning. Solomon is such a wonderful spiritual commentator, and Mr. Peterson is such a delightful translator of the ancient text into modern language. "You don't want to end your life full of regrets - nothing but sin and bones." Sin and bones, indeed!

On further reflection, however, I sobered up quickly when I thought of all of the people that I am currently aware of who have completely worked themselves into Regret's corner, with little or no room for maneuvering.

• Jerry Sandusky, who was foolish enough to shower naked with young boys for years - never understanding, apparently, the implications of that action alone.
• "Harry" - a friend of my youngest child, who decided to start carrying a gun. One altercation and many gunshots later, he is in prison for a long, long time.
• "Darius," another school chum, who went spoiling for a fight to his ex-girlfriend's house to demand to see his child. One gun and many shots later, she was dead (shot while holding the baby), her parents were dead, and then he was dead.
• The woman next door who spoiled her child rotten, and now has her daughter's refusal to face life [get a job, live without alcohol & drugs, etc.] tied around her neck like an albatross.
• George Zimmerman, who refused to just go home when the police told him to. One confrontation and several gunshots later, a young man is dead and Mr. Zimmerman is in a world of trouble.
• The 53-year-old pop star who can't figure out any other way to make an impact than to expose private portions of her body to public view - making herself a laughingstock in Europe

I could keep going, but that's not really necessary. Solomon cautions all of us to take a second look when someone wants to lead us down a side path, or make a decision that is not in our best interests. There are plenty of people out there who love to exploit others for their own gain. We can make the decision, however, to employ Wisdom and Understanding to every situation we find ourselves in. All we have to do is ask for them.