The Beginner’s Guide to Predicting Your Future: Your Intention Please

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PREDICTING YOUR FUTURE – 2

YOUR INTENTION PLEASE

The Art of Lostness:

1. We don’t get lost on purpose
2. We’re lost before we know that we’re lost
3. Men have trouble admitting they are lost
4. We wind up where the road we’re on ends up

Direction, not intention, determines destination.

What is obvious when it comes to driving, is not always obvious when it comes to living.

There is often a disconnect between where we say we want to end up, and the direction we are actually going.

6 At the window of my house
    I looked down through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
    I noticed among the young men,
    a youth who had no sense. 

8 He was going down the street near her corner,
    walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
    as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)

13 She took hold of him and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.

15 So I came out to meet you;
    I looked for you and have found you!

16 I have covered my bed
    with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
    with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

19 My husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
    and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
    she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22 All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer stepping into a noose
23     till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;
    pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
    or stray into her paths.

26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
    her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
    leading down to the chambers of death.  Proverbs 7:6-27 (NIV)

Lie: My decisions today are unimportant. When it really matters, I’ll make the right choice.

Often what is intended by us to be an exception is actually a direction that leads to an unintended destination.