Got Wisdom? - Proverbs 3:13-14

How many smart people do you know? You may be able to fill up an entire page of names. Now think about how many wise people you know. You are truly blessed if you are aware of more than a handful. While there is no shortage of intelligence or education - - why does wisdom seem to be in such short supply?

There are some folks that believe wisdom is to know. They consider amassing factual data as a worthy end in itself. To others, however, wisdom is not in the knowing but in the actual doing. And King Solomon knew this.

You may recall that God offered him a real deal, “Because you have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, I’m going to give you any one thing you ask for.” Solomon could have asked for anything – wealth, long life, prestige, you name it. But he was certain that it was not enough just to have something. He needed to know how to do something in order to lead a nation [Israel].

The book of Proverbs provides God’s wisdom on a whole host of topics that we encounter along life’s journey [money, friendships, work, our marriages, our children]. I define wisdom as knowing the difference between right and wrong – but doing that which is right.

Knowledge is instant, a by-product of our ‘microwave’ culture, which offers quick bits of information in five-minute bursts of the news. Our brains seem overloaded with the trivial and temporary. But pursuit of wisdom takes time. It’s like cooking a meal with a crock pot – it will not be ready in ten minutes. But when the time is right, and all the spices, flavorings, and juices have marinated you will have something that is really worth sharing.

In biblical terms wisdom may be defined as the ability to live skillfully from God’s point of view. It is an outcome of observing life from a ‘vertical perspective’ – and – acting accordingly. We must search after wisdom and humble ourselves [admitting our need while confessing our insufficiency], then ask God’s assistance.

Dear Lord, Thank You for teaching us that Your ways are higher than our ways. Thank You for challenging us not to take the easy way out - - not to just walk through any door that swings open, but to seek Your will and guidance in all things. Amen.

I love you!

Stay faithful and finish strong,
dale