Day 73, Year 1

Eliminating Foolishness in Your Walking

“Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:3 NASB)

We should even consider our walking posture or gait to escape from foolishness. If there is any foolishness in it, we need to eliminate it. “Walk” in today’s verse pertains to external appearance, gait, or even how things are done. Except for those who have physical illness, disability, or genetic problems, our walking should demonstrate the uprightness and wisdom of God’s children. However, some people have defeated and dispirited demeanor due to past failures. Raised in high-pressure environments, some are easily anxious, even to the extent that others could notice their anxiousness in their gait. Proud people might walk with the smell of arrogance, making others feel their pride or domineering nature.

Meanwhile, how fools handle things might inadvertently reveal their ignorance. When someone acts in a way that makes their foolishness obvious, it might be due to misplaced self-confidence and incorrect assessment of situations, etc., which leads to haphazard attempts at resolving insurmountable problems. These shortcomings essentially declare to those around them, “I am a fool.” Fools often act carelessly, and their assessment of matters might be tainted by improper subjectivity or desires, leading to misjudgment of reality. Also, they are usually unwilling to seek help from the wise, resulting in repeated mistakes. Indeed, the fool tends to mistake imagination for reality, thus, their gait feels imprudent. 

In contrast, the wise are equipped to solve various problems, many people need our help. We who seek wisdom are always cautious in our behaviors, accurately assessing situations and knowing to seek God’s help and wise advice in times of uncertainty. Meanwhile, those who seek His wisdom might walk at a pace that is neither fast nor slow. Compared to the rapid pace in some big cities, like the urban areas of Hong Kong, wise people’s gait might appear slow. This slow pace allows us to reflect, pray, and respond more flexibly to accidents. By properly managing our negative emotions in daily life, wise people’s gait conveys a sense of energy, uprightness, and agility. In times of crisis, the wise are vigilant, constantly observing their surroundings, watchful for potential dangers or those needing help, and guiding people toward peace and success.

Reflection questions:

1) How would you describe your usual gait? Is there a need for improvement if you sense some problems with it?

2) What is your typical way of doing things? And what impression or feeling do you tend to give to others?

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