“Wisdom’s praises are sung in the streets and celebrated far and wide. Yet wisdom’s song is not always heard in the halls of higher learning. But in the hustle and bustle of everyday life its lyrics can always be heard above the din of the crowd.”(Proverbs 1:20-21).
I used to read a great deal. One of my gifts is learning so I was always reaching for the next thing to read and learn about. When I came to know the Lord, I read every Christian book I could get my hands on. And when I was not reading, I was listening to sermons.
This was a rich period in my life. However, it lacked something. I was reading and growing in understanding of the right things to do, but my ability to live this out was limited. During this time, I prayed to God and told Him that I didn’t just want to read the bible but to fully live it in the way I lived my life.
The next thing I knew, as my husband found out that he was losing his vision and the two of us ended up fostering and then adopting two boys. We also had my mother fall and break her back and then move in with us. She couldn’t live in assisted living any more and did not want to live in a nursing home, so she came home with us.
Suddenly, my life was full of needs. So full that I rarely had time to read. Even now, I must be very intentional on finding the time. The only time that I can get a book in is usually on Audiobook on the way to work. I don’t have a lot of down time.
One thing I have found through all of this is that wisdom is not complete when we hear it. It is not something that is gained just by what we know. It is not good enough to hear the thoughtful words of others on their journey and agree with them. Wisdom comes when we step into it. Wisdom is learned when we put our hands to what our hearts prompt.
Wisdom comes by not only hearing the word but by putting it into action. John tells us in 1 John 3:7, “Children, don’t let anyone pull one over on you. The one doing the right thing is just imitating Jesus, the Righteous one.”
What might be the ‘pulled one over on you’ that John is talking about? The temptation is to be a fan of wisdom rather than living it out. We might watch a movie and whole heartedly agree with the good guy/gal. In this, there is a sense of satisfaction in being included in a group with the right convictions. We can feel part of things without even leaving our living room.
Yet no justice has been actually accomplished. We simply have agreed that in the fake scenario we watched, with the actor as they choose a good path. Time watching and cheering on the right things can take away time from doing the right things.
It also can lead us to judging other’s actions by what we see. Like a continual fan, we begin to measure others by the standards we see on television. When no one measures up, we feel dissatisfied and disappointed in others. In this way, it can hinder rather than benefit us.
The way that we try to grow in wisdom is often from our head. Wisdom does not come from logic or knowledge. Wisdom comes from leaning in, listening and living out what we hear spoken. A life that is full is not one that is comfortable. It is one that is full of sacrifice. It is one that is filled with considering others. It is one that is filled with making room and seeing needs.
I am so blessed for the needs in my life and the people who remind me that life is not about achieving my own success, about how popular I am or how important or wealthy I become. My life is about loving God and letting Him love others through me. It is about being alive to His purposes and seeing others—meeting their needs.
God does not promise us lives that full of ease or lack difficulty and struggle. It is in the difficulties and struggles that we grow the most. What he does promise, is that when we follow His will we will have peace. This is not the fake peace of putting on a front and telling everyone we are fine when we are really weighed down with burdens. This is a genuine peace from living in the will of Jesus.
Proverbs 1:33 says, “But the one who always listens to me will live undisturbed in heavenly peace. Free from fear, confident and courageous, you will rest unafraid and sheltered from the storms of life.”
While observing wisdom from afar and standing on the sidelines being a cheerleader is more comfortable, stepping out and trying is where we find life. This takes courage to let go of our fears and step into what God has for us by faith. But this is exactly where we will grow in wisdom and understanding.
There is no fear, failure, shame or anxiety in the fullness of His presence. It is in His presence that we will find rest. The solution to the world becoming darker and more difficult is following the one under whose eyes we find perfect peace. He guides our way and guards us as we chose what is right. He is our rear guard and covers our mistakes. It is in His presence that we find mercy, love and rest for our souls.
Your failures do not define who you are
I already paid the price and have the scars
You are free to live and learn in all you do
Know that I am looking out for you
The game is not over yet,
Don’t live below in your regrets
Let go of the past and move on
Know that in my love is where you belong.
