June 30
Listening to
Wisdom
“Listen to advice and accept correction. In the end you will be counted among those who are wise.”
Proverbs 19:20 (NIrV)
Nathan and Jared stood at the rusted gates of the old abandoned factory, their breath visible in the chilly evening air. A faded “KEEP OUT” sign hung loosely on the chain-link fence.
“This place is off-limits for a reason,” Jared muttered, shifting uncomfortably.
Nathan grinned, pushing the gate open just enough to squeeze through. “Come on, don’t be scared. It’ll be fun.”
Jared hesitated. His parents had warned him about places like this—unstable floors, falling debris, the danger of getting caught. But Nathan’s confidence made it seem harmless. With a sigh, he followed.
Inside, the factory was eerily quiet. Their footsteps echoed against the cracked concrete floor. Sunlight streamed through broken windows, casting long shadows. The air smelled of rust and decay.
They climbed a metal staircase leading to the second floor, dodging broken beams and piles of rubble. Jared’s heart pounded. “Maybe we should head back,” he suggested.
Nathan scoffed. “Relax. Just a few more minutes—”
Before he could finish, the rusted platform beneath him gave way with a deafening snap. Nathan tumbled down, his scream cutting through the silence.
Jared scrambled down as fast as he could. Nathan lay on the ground, gripping his leg, his face twisted in pain. “I think it’s broken,” he gasped.
Panic surged through Jared. If only they had listened to the warnings. If only they hadn’t ignored the signs.
“I need to call for help,” Jared said, his hands shaking as he dialed. As he waited for emergency services, he whispered a desperate prayer. “God, please help us. We messed up. We should have listened. Just help Nathan be okay.”
Nathan winced. “Yeah… I should have listened too.”
Later, as Nathan was loaded into the ambulance, his eyes met Jared’s. “Next time, let’s listen to the warnings.”
Jared nodded. “Yeah. Next time, we choose wisdom.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for placing wisdom and guidance in our lives through parents, teachers, and Your Word.
Forgive us for the times we ignore warnings and go our own way.
Help us to listen, to learn, and to choose wisdom instead of recklessness.
Teach us to recognize Your voice and trust that Your guidance is for our good.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
