Learning To Be Wise
Awhile ago I asked Jesus to give me wisdom. Seemed like a decent thing to ask, especially since I never seem to know the right thing to say or act. This is what He gave me:
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.Proverbs 4:7-13
That first bit didn’t seem very promising. I need to get wisdom, and cherish it and then I’ll be wise. Yeah, I got it… I knew that before. I know I need wisdom but How Do I Get It? This is answered very simply in the second stanza. But, look deeper at what it says right at the beginning, “Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.” If it’s going to cost me everything, do I actually want understanding and knowledge? Am I willing to give everything I have in order to obtain wisdom and to be wise? It’s a rather daunting question but look at what it says about wisdom. If you invest in it you will be exalted, and honored. You will be presented with a glorious crown. So, knowing that the benefits are good, I’m ok with giving everything I have to become wise.
ok. Done. I’m willing to give everything, therefore I’m wise. Right? nope. I still feel pretty dang stupid and this where the second part of the verses comes in. Cue the lightbulb. “Accept what I say…I instruct you in the way of wisdom, and lead you along straight paths.” Two very Key words to gain wisdom: I Lead. So, look at who’s writing this. Many believe (this includes myself) that Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs. He’s the “I” in this section. Follow my lead, he’s saying to his son. Watch me, learn from me. But who is Solomon to say this? Solomon was asked by God in a dream what he wants. He could have anything in the world (popularity, wealth, everlasting life) and he says wisdom! Wisdom to be a good and fair King and could rule God’s people. And God gives it to Him! He was given this Wisdom by God! So this is how the son received wisdom: God –> Solomon –> Son. God is at the top of list. He’s the direct source of the wisdom. Solomon would not be wise if it wasn’t for God.
But who is Solomon to us? An old dead man whose bones have turned to dust and whose sayings we can read and learn from, just as his son did. But would reading those and attempting to follow them make us wise? No. Look again at the Key words: I lead. Solomon is dead, he can’t lead us anywhere. But the source of his wisdom can. So read it again after I replace the word I to God.
Listen, my son, accept what God says,
and the years of your life will be many.
God instructs you in the way of wisdom
and leads you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
When we seek Him and His ways, He will lead us in the ways that are right and wise. Only then can we gain instruction and wisdom. When we live a life of obedience to the Lord and are willing to be corrected and molded, when we are willing to give up everything in order to follow God, that is how we will become wise. Jesus will lead, we must be willing to follow no matter the cost.
So, I’m going to be writing more(not every post, just more of them) about what God’s been teaching me and how He’s been leading me, here on my blog. There are no guarantees that the posts are going to be so nicely and happily ended as this was, and I will need people wiser than me to tell me when I’m all messed up in my thinking. But, if I am going to keep going on this fun journey I’ve been having here, then I must hold on to instruction and share it because it’s my life. Jesus is my life, and I’m not letting go.
