J.R. Briggs
Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep
-
Chasing Wisdom
Last week I was invited to speak at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee with Impact, their 20-somethings ministry led by my friend Jim Vining. I spoke on the topic of Chasing Wisdom. I am no expert, but I am becoming more and more aware of just how valuable it is to attain it. During the evening we explored the significance of wisdom and how we could pursue wisdom intentionally as young adults. How can we chase wisdom?The Proverbs are pretty blunt about wisdom and its preciousness. But our culture finds little value in wisdom. Don’t believe me? Name five well-recognized wise women and men in our culture who are role models for young adults (No, Gandalf does not count – and neither does Dr. Phil). But we can immediately name people in the media who are known for their foolishness (isn’t that what TMZ’s business model is based upon? Jersey Shore, anyone?)
Proverbs 3 and 4 says this:
“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” (3:13-15)
“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.” (4:5-9)
Do you believe that? Really believe that?
I struggle to believe this at times. Why? Because my life would look a lot different if I did.
But there are a lot of misconceptions around wisdom: It’s the same thing as knowledge. The older you get the wiser you automatically become. You either have it or you don’t. I really can get by with my education and experience and street smarts.
But wisdom is knowledge aptly applied. Doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason.
But what does it mean to orient my life in such a way that the pursuit of wisdom is a high priority? What can I do about it? The premise of what I shared was this: wisdom is revealed in how we handle five primary areas of our lives: our finances, our sexuality, our friendships, our time and our tongue.
When I read the Proverbs I find that most of its content addresses these five areas of our lives.
- If you showed me your checkbook and credit card statements would they reveal a life prioritized around gaining wisdom or getting stuff?
- Do the decisions you make regarding your sexuality lead to wholeness or to damaging the image of God stamped indelibly on your soul?
- If you showed me your friends, would I be able to say that you have a hopeful future?
- Is your time devoted to things that truly matter?
- Are you using your tongue to bless people or tear them down?
May we chase wisdom today. It is more precious than rubies.
meghan @ spicy magnolia said...
1For the past few months, I cannot get James 3:13-18 out of my mind. I love what heavenly wisdom is and it is scary how much “earthly “wisdom” I have in me when I take a good look at my heart.
08/11/10 2:24 PM | Comment Link
chasing wisdom « JesusWire said...
2[...] what to do about muslims » Do you have wisdom in your life? 5 areas that will reveal your wisdom (or lack of [...]
08/11/10 3:01 PM | Comment Link
lew said...
3so i finally learned that my need to understand stood in the way of letting God. that was the beginning of wisdom for me. letting God. Teach. Speak. Show. Be. Talk. Explain. Guide. i do not know about chasing wisdom. Jesus went to the dessert to be with His Father. alone. peaceful. did He chase wisdom? or allow wisdom? like this woman (Sharon, my spouse) i know, she has very deep wisdom. and it is from Him. ask her. she’ll tell you about Him.
08/11/10 6:23 PM | Comment Link
J.R. Briggs said...
4Lew –
Of course wisdom comes for God alone. But similar to a sailor who must carefully open up the sails on his sailboat in order to catch the wind and allow the wind to do the work, we need to have intention in opening our lives up so that the Spirit can work in/through us.
The idea of chasing was intended to evoke intention, action, participation, proactivity. Nobody drifts into full devotion to Jesus. Neither do people drift into wisdom. We open ourselves up for God to give us the gift of wisdom. This makes effort on our part.
It might be good for you to read some passages in the Proverbs. The book gives specific instructions to chase after wisdom, to seek it, to hunt it down.
Check out a few of these directives the author gives to us: Prov 2:3-4; 4:7-8; 8:17, 34-36 to name a few.
08/12/10 11:12 AM | Comment Link
Justin Redding said...
5I find it truley difficult to even aspire to atain wisdom in these times. So much filth is constantly spewed from the media which makes wisdom easily overlooked, if not ignored entirely. I do, however, honestly wish to change that aspect in my life, and I suppose the proper step has been taken just reading this website.
08/13/10 11:08 PM | Comment Link
Justin Redding said...
6“Attain,” is what I meant.
08/13/10 11:10 PM | Comment Link
lisa said...
7Hmm. To me, and also evident in Proverbs, is the idea that wisdom is linked to self-control. It is the very opposite of living for today, it is about living for all of time, which is in a way God’s perspective. Recognizing a thing’s value, and saving and protecting and nourishing it so it may keep that value, I feel that’s at the heart of the matter, and so why it becomes evident in the aspects you mentioned, because these are precious gifts that God bestows on each and every one of us.
08/16/10 8:51 AM | Comment Link
DougG said...
8JR, I always liked Howard Hendricks saying Wisdom in the OT was defined as “skill in living.” I also think it is tied to knowing the intent behind Scripture not just the words and that takes time (experience, application) and meditation /memorization. I also think the proper use involves not giving people answers, but assisting them in their walk; in other words, I don’t want them responding to me (very bad at several levels), but to Jesus (true discipleship). Two days ago, a gal we know called asking me advice about a new guy friend (we know her very well) ; we talked about guarding her heart, honoring his responsibility to lead, etc. She knows all this and maybe she just needed me to help her organize it and challenge her on it. One final thought: at work/church, I have the annoying habit of asking a question that exposes flaws in thinking or decisions. Obviously, I get a variety of responses despite the fact I really don’t mean any harm (and don’t mind others asking me questions). I wonder if is wisdom or just that I am a systems engineer. DougG
08/19/10 3:53 AM | Comment Link