July 13
A Moment of
Reflection
"I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense."
Proverbs 7:7, NIrV
Corey had always enjoyed his nights out—he worked hard all week, and when the weekend rolled around, he liked to unwind with a few drinks. But this time, things had gone too far. After a night of partying, Corey found himself slumped in the back of a taxi, his head spinning and stomach churning. He barely noticed the city lights blur past as he struggled to keep his balance. Then it hit him. In a moment of regret and discomfort, he leaned forward and threw up in the back of the cab.
The taxi driver, an older man with graying hair and a stern look, sighed deeply as he glanced in the rearview mirror. “You’ve really made a mess of my cab,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. Corey mumbled an apology, feeling his stomach lurch again. The driver didn’t seem angry, just resigned to the situation. “I’ll get you home, but you’re going to cost me time and money cleaning this up. You really should think more about your actions before you get yourself into these situations.”
Corey felt a wave of shame wash over him as the taxi rolled toward his apartment. He had always enjoyed the feeling of freedom that came with a good time out with friends, but tonight felt different. He had crossed a line. Not just because of the mess he’d made in the cab, but because he had lost control of himself. He had been reckless, and now the consequences were staring him in the face.
As the cab neared his destination, the driver reached into his glove compartment and pulled out a small slip of paper. "I’m going to give you something to think about," he said, handing it to Corey. "Take this home with you, and think about it when you wake up tomorrow." Corey looked at the paper, confused, but nodded in gratitude.
When the cab stopped, Corey handed the driver the fare and a generous tip, hoping to make up for the mess. He then stepped out of the taxi and stumbled into his apartment, his head still reeling. When he finally managed to sit down on his couch, he unfolded the piece of paper. There, written in neat handwriting, were the words: "I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense." (Proverbs 7:7)
Corey’s mind swirled. He didn’t know why the driver had given him this specific verse, but something about it stuck with him. As he read the verse again, it hit him—he was the youth in the proverb. He had acted foolishly, seeking short-term pleasures while ignoring the bigger picture, much like the young man described in the verse.
That night, as Corey lay in bed, the verse from the taxi driver echoed in his mind. In the quiet of his room, he realized that he had been living recklessly, ignoring the consequences of his actions. But now, he saw a chance for change. It wasn’t too late to make wiser decisions, to stop acting impulsively, and to start thinking about the impact of his choices.
Prayer:
Father,
I come to You with a heart full of regret for the times I’ve acted without thinking, for the moments when I’ve sought short-term pleasure and ignored the consequences.
Please forgive me for my foolishness and help me learn from my mistakes.
I want to live a life that honors You, making decisions with wisdom and understanding.
Help me to see the bigger picture in all I do and to seek Your guidance before acting.
Thank You for Your grace and for giving me the chance to make a change.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
