"Like Golden Apples..."

Scripture Passage

Proverbs 25:1-29:27

Scripture Focus

Timely advice is lovely,
   like golden apples in a silver basket.
                    (Proverbs 25:11 NLT)

Observation

Is there anything better than “timely advice”? I’m not sure it really happens all that frequently. Too many elements have to come into play to make it happen.

The recipient of the advice has to be genuinely open to the advice. I’ve had lots of people ask for counsel who really had no interest in my counsel! (Yeah, yeah, I know—that could have something to do with the quality of counsel offered!) What’s needed is what some has called a “teachable moment”—or, to borrow from someone else, “a moment when ‘the pain of staying the same’ is actually greater than ‘the pain of embracing the necessary change.’” The recipient has to be open to counsel.

The counsel has to be valid. I’ve tried to address any number of situations where there no longer remained any “really good” solutions. Things had gone too far…too many poor decisions had been made along the way…and all the easy, clear-cut solutions were no longer options. Of course, if the solution was easy and clear…well hey, who needs counsel for that? The point is, you get to spots where offering valid counsel really does require “the wisdom of Solomon” (or, better yet, real help from the Holy Spirit!) The counsel has to be valid.

And the words and spirit of the counsel have to be right. Some people need to be challenged. Some need rebuked. Some need encouraged and some need comfort. Often, it can be the same advice (at the core) offered in each different situation, but sometimes the way you apply the paint changes with the surface you’re painting, you know?

But when it comes together…when it comes together…well—

Timely advice is lovely,
   like golden apples in a silver basket.
                    (Proverbs 25:11 NLT)

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