Do You Lack Wisdom?

Of all the things that we might desire, the Bible clearly recommends one thing highly: wisdom.

An attempt to gain wisdom through a "short cut" was part of the reason for the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:6 says, "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, a man who God blessed with such wisdom that the whole world sought an audience with him to hear the wisdom that God put in his heart. (1 Kings 10:24). Virtually the entire book of Proverbs is a plea for us to embrace, to seek, and to ask God for wisdom.

Near the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus went to his hometown, and the people there were amazed at his miracles, yes, but also by the wisdom that God had given to Him. "Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked." (Matthew 13:54, NIV)

It's not that Jesus didn't have this wisdom as He was growing up - we know that even as a young boy, His wisdom and insight confounded the learned scholars in the Temple. I suspect that prior to the beginning of His ministry, Jesus quietly went about His work as a carpenter with His father, waiting for the time when all would know Who He was.

What is it about wisdom that makes it more desirable than silver or gold, more precious than any earthly possession? It is because with wisdom is the key to properly leveraging knowledge and experiences. During our lifetimes, we all have many experiences and we all learn things. Whether or not you apply those academic and life lessons to your present circumstances shows whether or not you possess wisdom.

Ever had someone about whom you said, "He's got a lot of book learning, but no common sense whatsoever"? That person lacked wisdom. They may have boundless amounts of knowledge stored in their brains, but without wisdom, they don't know how to apply that knowledge in a practical way to their daily lives.

A nutritionist who has a degree in knowing what they should eat, but who pigs out on junk food and weighs 400 pounds lacks wisdom. An oncologist who daily sees cancer ravage his patients yet smokes two packs of cigarettes a day lacks wisdom. A counselor who has versed in the principles of relationships, understands the importance of the family, and can give advice to others about their marriage, yet leaves his wife and kids for another woman lacks wisdom.

A person who is aware of their sinful condition, and understands the message of the Gospel, yet fails to give his or her life to Jesus Christ clearly lacks wisdom.

Wisdom is that precious gift of insight and understanding from God that leads us to make wise choices in our lives. Samuel Taylor Coleridge said, "Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom."

Has your life been marked by poor choices? Have you demonstrated time and time again that you do not have wisdom? I have really good news for you. God is a God of second chances. Not to mention third and fourth and fifth...

If the Bible is true - and it is - and the words contained within it are reliable - and they are - then the beginning of wisdom for you is just a prayer away. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

It is never too late to begin walking in wisdom.

Are You Moving Too Fast?

"One who moves too hurriedly misses the way." Proverbs 19:2 (NRS)

John Ortberg writes: "When I first moved to Chicago I called a friend - the wisest spiritual man I know - and asked him, 'What do I need to do to be healthy spiritually?' He said, 'You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.' There was a long pause, and I finally said 'Okay.' I wrote that one down. 'Now, what else do you have to tell me, because I don't have much time and I want to get a lot of wisdom out of this conversation.'

He replied, 'There is nothing else. Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life. You can hardly do anything the way Jesus did it if you're in a hurry. Jesus was often busy, but never hurried. Hurry is an inward condition in which you're so frantic and preoccupied that you're unable to receive love from the Father, unable to be present with other people, or to give love to them.'"

Understand this: things will not just "settle down." If you wait to get around to what really matters, you'll never do what God made you to do! Your soul will wither. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Furthermore, no one else can do this for you - not your boss, your pastor, your spouse, your kids, or your best friend. You must do this for yourself.

Take a moment and ponder these two scriptures: (1) "The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble" (Pr 19:23 NIV). (2) "Desire without knowledge is not good, and the one who moves too hurriedly misses the way" (Pr 19:2 NRS).

The Tenacity of a Single Mother

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is of the widow in II Kings 4:1-7. It tells of a woman who is faced with a very common challenge of single mothers today. The father of her children, her husband, has died, left her financially bankrupt and jeopardized the future of her children.

It really doesn't matter if you conceived your children out of wedlock, a marriage which ended in divorce, or like this woman, your husband has died. Ultimately, when the relationship ends, it can feel like you are experiencing a death. While in the midst of grieving her loss, experiencing her hurt and deep disappointment, she now must contend with the reality of being solely responsible for her home, her children and their financial future. Many single moms are disillusioned in this process. Oftentimes going through the motions of survival all awhile wondering how she ended in this place.

This widow woman immediately reminds Elisha of her husband's relationship with God. She recognized she had a right to be sustained by the Lord because her husband "did fear the Lord". How right she was. Because of your covenant relationship with God, you have a right to be sustained by the Lord. Perhaps, like this woman, the creditors are seeking you out; attempting to compromise the financial stability of your children's future. Your child's father may no longer be in your home contributing to your provision, maybe withholds child support or perhaps he died with no life insurance, Jehovah-jireh, your provider, is YOUR insurance. Like never before, you have to trust God to do what you cannot and know that he is a good provider.

God's answer to changing her situation began with a plan spoken through Elisha. I believe it is applicable to all of us.

1. He begins by asking her what is in her house; or what does she already possess. God will plan your future with what you already have now. Not a man, or the lottery, but something you possess in your house (or your temple) right now. Begin by writing down your God given talents, gifts or skills.


2. He sent her out to borrow vessels. I imagine she was probably ashamed. Having to ask for help would require her to be venerable. Perhaps her neighbors would gossip after her request, or pretend they didn't hear her knocking at the door. She had to look her fear in the face, swallow her pride and do this in spite of her embarrassment because her children depended on her to succeed. You too, may have discovered that there are things you've had to do which required you to swallow your pride, face your fears and maybe even suffer embarrassment.


3. He then instructs her to come into the house and shut the door behind herself and her sons. I find this text so interesting. Elisha does not want the neighbors to see what God is about to do. God may share something with us and we want to tell everyone. But here, God instructs the woman to protect this process. Everyone cannot handle your journey. Everyone does not see what you see. They may unknowingly attempt to talk you out of your faith, discourage you, make you feel inadequate or like you're crazy. You must protect God's plan for your life by knowing when to speak and when to be silent.


4. He gave her instructions concerning pouring the oil in the vessels. She included her sons in this process. It is so important as you are fulfilling God's plan of action that your children not only see your obedience but also are a participant. In doing this, they gain a sense of success as contributors to God's plan.


5. Elisha told the woman to sell the oil, pay her debt and live off of the rest. God's desire is not to meet the need of our emergency, but make provision for our future. It requires faithfulness. Single moms, like none other, must perfect their faithfulness in financial stewardship. What if this woman in her excitement, paid off her debt and squandered the rest? She certainly would not have been able to abide in rest for the length of her days as Elisha instructed. Rather, she would have been forced to work by the sweat of her brow for the remainder of her days.

Single moms have a multitude of unique challenges before them. Pity parties sometime seem enticing to simply have an opportunity to talk about the difficulties of this journey. But seek the party, which the Bridegroom has prepared for you. Prepare your life to sit at His banquet table. You and your children can live the abundant life the scriptures promise. It's not too late. Begin by examining the very special gifts God has placed in you. It is what you possess right now that will bring greater fulfillment to you and your children for years to come.

Shake it & Shape it.


"The many parts make up only one body." 1 Corinthians 12:12 TLB

There's a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante, one of the truly great entertainers. He was asked to do a show for World War II veterans. He told them he was very busy, but if they wouldn't mind his doing one short monologue and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he'd come. They agreed. But when Jimmy got on stage he went through the short monologue - then stayed, and stayed. Soon he'd been on stage 15, 20, then 30 minutes.

Finally he took a last bow and left. Backstage someone stopped him and said "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?" Jimmy answered, " You can see for yourself if you look on the front row." In the front row were two veterans, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that's exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully.

That's a picture of what's supposed to happen in church: "But the many parts make up only one body when they are all put together. So it is with the 'body' of Christ." But to enjoy its benefits you have to go, and when you get there you must reach out to others so that you can know, and be known. Pew-sitting, back-of-the-head fellowship won't cut it! Someone sitting next to you has 20/20 vision where you have blind spots. You need their counsel, correction and comfort. And they need yours. When that happens, the church is working like it's supposed to.