Vows

I have been advised not to make vows¹.

Why is that? Do they not solidify one's resolve in the most trying of times? Do they not lend aid to one's spirit in the trials of life?

But perhaps that is just it: you seek the aid of one other than the lover of your heart. He is a jealous lover² and will spare no suitor you entertain, but lovingly and as gently as is best tears them from your grasp to offer a far better love than any you could imagine.

Here thrives the might of the Most High. No, I will not vow to live a certain way. May my strength come from God Almighty³ and wisdom and prudence from his hand⁴. Let me not vow by my might and will, for they are as fickle as straw in the breeze, but may my God, the One in Whom I Trust, fill me with his spirit and power⁵ that I might be more than I am and all I have been called to be: a spark, a light in the darkness⁶, a witness to the light⁷, a child of the Living God⁸.

¹ Matt 5:33-37

² Exodus 34:14

³ Genesis 49:24, Exodus 15:2

⁴ James 1:5, Proverbs 2:6-8

⁵ 2 Timothy 1:7

⁶ Isaiah 58:9-10, Matt 5:14-16

⁷ Acts 1:8, 1 Peter 3:15

⁸ John 1:12, Psalm 82:6, Romans 8:14-17

Advice, Part 2

How is important.

"The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer follow the Lord or ask what he wants of them. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered." (Jer 10:21)  Whoa, so ignoring the desires of an all-powerful God who spoke the universe into existence and sustains it by the second is a bad idea? Who knew?

He has some specific ways he wants you to love people that are unalterable: "Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, treat others how you would have them treat you." All of these commands are specific ways to love people (or what not to do in order to love people) that will never change.

There are some occasions, however, where loving someone will require opposite actions. For a child, tying his shoelaces before he runs outside shows love. If someone were to try to tie yours or my shoes, however, it would be an insult! You and I know very well how to tie our own shoes and, unless there was some physical impairment, can do so easily. Whether or not you should tie someone's shoe depends on more than the simple question of whether or not their shoe needs to be tied.

Should you clean your house? Yes. But what if you have promised a friend you would meet them at a certain time and place which requires you to leave before cleaning your house? Then you should demonstrate love for your friend by meeting them when and where you said you would instead of cleaning at that moment. But what if you have a group of people to entertain at your house immediately after meeting with your friend, and the meeting with your friend is casual and not of high importance? Ignoring your poor planning skills, it would then be better for you to call your friend to reschedule your meeting so you can fulfill your obligations.

So you see, how you live, how you pursue love, and what you do every day all may require very different or even opposite actions at different times.

"For everything there is a season,
   a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
   A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
   A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
   A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
   A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
   A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
   A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
   A time for war and a time for peace." (Ecc 3:1-8)

After seeking wisdom from God and others, use your own judgement of what is best and being sure not ignore God, because at the End of Days you will be answering to God alone for what you have done and not the wise who so graciously gave you their counsel.

Before I lose my point among too many words, let me end with a few final words. All advice of mine and others beyond that given in the Bible as unchanging will fall into the subjective "how". To ensure my words are applicable, let me add a few additional words from God: "The Lord has told you what is good: to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." (Malachi 6:8)

This is good advice.

Advice, Part 1

"But, my child, be warned: There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting!" (Ecc 12:12)

As a single, post-college guy, the place I have seen this most is advice people have given me on relationships. I'm not here talking of advice relating to all relationships, but to girls, candlelit nights, and romance. Mushy stuff.

Anyways, one thing I have noticed, through it all, is that all the advice simplifies to this:
Love yourself.
Love the other person.
Love everyone else.
Love God.

"Jesus replied, 'The most important commandment is this: "Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." The second is equally important: "Love your neighbor as yourself." No other commandment is greater than these.'" (Mark 12:29-31)

Let your life reflect this, and you'll do just fine. Each recipient of love is emphasized to a greater or lesser extent by your teacher. The variation in advice is only how.