Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Now, my grandma used to say, “You can learn things the easy way or the hard way, but you’re gonna learn.” And Lord knows, I’ve tested both routes. The easy way is listening to folks who’ve been around a while, who’ve got some wisdom under their belt. The hard way? Well, that usually involves ignoring good advice and ending up flat on your back, wondering what just happened.

This verse reminds us that real wisdom starts with reverence for God—respecting Him enough to trust His ways over our own stubbornness. But there are always some folks who just won’t listen. They think they’ve got it all figured out, and before you know it, they’ve run their life into a ditch.

If you want to be wise, start by seeking God. Let Him guide your steps. Because wisdom isn’t just about knowing things—it’s about knowing the right things and actually doing them. And trust me, life goes a whole lot smoother when you walk with the One who wrote the instruction manual.

Matthew 18:12 says, “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?”

Now, most of us like to think we’re part of the ninety-nine—faithful, steady, right where we’re supposed to be. But if we’re honest, we’ve all been that one sheep at some point—wandering off, distracted by something that looked better than it was, stuck in a ditch of our own making.

And yet, Jesus comes looking. He doesn’t say, “Well, that one should’ve known better.” He doesn’t cut His losses and focus on the ones who stayed put. No, He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, because every single sheep matters.

That means you matter. Even when you’ve messed up. Even when you feel lost. Even when you think you’ve wandered too far. Jesus is still searching, still calling your name, still ready to carry you back on His shoulders.

So if you’re lost, stop running. If you’re found, don’t forget what it was like to be lost. And if you see a lost sheep, don’t stand there judging—join Jesus in bringing them home. Because grace isn’t just for the ninety-nine. It’s for the one. And at some point, we’ve all been the one.

Let me tell you something, folks. Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Now, if you’ve ever driven through the back roads of South Carolina Country at night, you know how dark it can get. That kind of darkness makes you grateful for any light, even a flicker. But imagine coming over a hill and seeing a whole town lit up, shining like hope itself. That’s what Jesus is talking about here.

He’s saying you are that light. Not your neighbor. Not just the preacher. You. And you weren’t made to blend in or hide away. God built you to shine. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to be flashy or loud. A little light can do a lot of good in the dark. A kind word, a helping hand, or just showing up when someone needs you—that’s shining your light.

So don’t go hiding your light under a basket of fear or doubt. God put His spark in you for a reason. Let it shine. Because the world’s got enough shadows. Be the light that helps someone find their way home.