Wisdom breathes life into her children
and admonishes those who seek her.
He who loves her loves life;
those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.
He who holds her fast inherits glory;
wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
Perhaps I don’t read enough spiritual reading but I find
little about wisdom in my reading. The writers of both scripture and piety often
speak of “Lady Wisdom” and esteem her as one of God’s greatest gifts. In our
time she has been overwhelmed by knowledge, which has been fragmented into
facts, which are ground further into factoids and sound bites.
Like many people I yell at the radio as I drive and last
week I heard a story about a new school someone wants to build. It would be a
SET school: science, engineering and technology. I hollered, “and philosophy?”
Who is going to teach these whiz kids how to THINK about
what they’re doing? How are they going to live in the new world they build if
they don’t know how to think about it?
The technological world is changing daily around us under tidal
waves – now called tsunamis – of new
ideas; but millions of Americans still think the world was built in seven days.
They’re still thinking Jesus went “up into heaven” as if heaven is a sky-floating
island out of the movie Avatar. I don’t suppose the whiz kids suffer
those illusions but they’re perceptions of life in the 21st century
may be just as skewed. Many will bring 19th century religious and 20th
century philosophical ideas to their mid-21st century decisions. They
will not be able to imagine, see or comprehend what is happening around them or
within them – even as life passes them by.
Inevitably, others will make decisions for them. When I was
in Louisiana I heard a preacher chide the youth of his church, “While you were
rapping and napping, someone else was mapping your future!” I might say to
today’s philosophically illiterate whiz kids, “While you were tinkering with
your toys, someone else ate your breakfast.”
Only the Wisdom of God, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit, can
prepare us to live in our rapidly changing world. This is not a simple matter
of “Pray More!” – although that’s important. Wisdom requires study, discussion,
listening, pondering and asking for God’s guidance. It requires a deep
knowledge of our Jewish roots, Greek origins, Roman legal structures, English customs
and Christian traditions.
Lady Wisdom knows the future. She will show it to her favorites as
it happens.
Get wisdom, get understanding!
Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
love her, and she will safeguard you;
The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom;
whatever else you get, get understanding. Proverb 4:5-7
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.