«The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion» (Proverbs 1:1-4).
EDUCATION
Hernando was a disobedient, irresponsible, and rebellious child. His mother didn’t know what to do with him anymore. She had tried everything but did not obtain great results. One day she went to talk to the pastor of the church and explained the situation to him.
«l no longer know what to do with Hernando, pastor,» said the mother in tears. The pastor listened to her and kept silent. Then he said: «There is a Bible book especially written for the transformation of character in children and young people.» «Really?» the woman asked.
«Yes, it is the book of Proverbs. Look ask Hernando to read every night three verses from Proverbs before he goes to sleep. Gradually expand the number of verses until he completes a chapter. He shouldn’t go to sleep without reading this wonderful part of the Bible.»
From that night on, Hernando began to read the book of Proverbs every night. At first, the child displayed his typical rebellious attitudes. But little by little an astonishing change began to take place in his life. Every time he finished reading through the book, he would start it all over again. That’s how the years went by. Hernando was a different person. But he kept reading proverbs before going to sleep.
One day he told his mother, «Mom, I’ve already chosen the career I’m going to study.»
«What are you going to study, son?»
«I want to be a pastor. I’m going to devote myself to preaching the gospel.»
Hernando continued his reading of Proverbs during his years at the seminary and his beginnings in pastoral life. Sometime later, he decided to write a biblical commentary on Proverbs, the book that had made a difference in his life.
There is nothing worse than seeing a young man lose the best moments of his existence. Millions of young people are trapped in a life of no discipline, frustration, discouragement, pessimism, and unsteadiness. All these vices destroy any project of life and bury the hopes of seizing our fleeting passage through this world. That is why education is so important, that blessed tool with which Heaven has endowed human beings to enjoy the happiness that God gives us every day.
Don’t settle for what you have now. You, too, can be transformed through the divine educational agents. The book of Proverbs has great lessons for you!
Ask Heaven today to prepare your heart to learn the great lessons of life.