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For the last nine months, I (like you) have been reading the words of Jesus and looking at His life. He always made the right choice, spoke the right words and lived well in very difficult situations. His wisdom is perfect, and mine is so (UN) perfect. God’s wisdom is a passion of mine, and something that is sorely lacking in most lives. We’ll never be perfectly wise like Jesus, but there is so much wisdom available to Christ-followers. I believe one of the greatest virtues that can ever be attributed to someone is wisdom.  Proverbs 4:7 gives us a great picture of God’s view of wisdom.

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. (NLT)

If it’s such a big deal, we should all be seeking it! But why don’t we?

What does a man or woman of wisdom look like anyway? When I think of a wise person, my mind goes to someone who doesn’t speak the most or the loudest, but when they do speak, I want to hear every word.  Their thoughts are typically reasoned and balanced. They have a handle on the subject matter being discussed, and an understanding of how to apply their knowledge.  An over-riding definition of wisdom for me is, the mind of God revealed. A person can possess great worldly wisdom and skill in certain areas, but the wisdom that transcends those characteristics is that which looks at life from God’s perspective.

In my wisdom quest, I have been profoundly impacted by Proverbs 16:23, and its implications. As you read the verse, realize the potential that it can have for you.

From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

For this verse, I also chose the New Living Translation. Other versions use the word heart instead of mind, but I believe the context to be the same. We can look at the heart as the whole inner being. It is the depository of wisdom and the place from where our speech comes. It goes without saying that to gain the perspective of God for all situations we must have a consistent intake of His Word. When we continually deposit the Word, focus on its truth and apply the principles, wise speech will be the result. A wisdom story I wrote about last year still resonates within me today. As you read it, reflect on wisdom personified and think of how you would have responded. Corrie ten Boom tells a fascinating story of her father’s wisdom in her book, The Hiding Place.

As a child, Corrie once traveled with her father by train from their home in Haarlem, the Netherlands to Amsterdam. Her father was a watchmaker and traveled to repair parts for new watches that he had sold. He carried a large, heavy briefcase with his parts and tools. Corrie had seen the word “sex” written somewhere and couldn’t understand what it meant so she questioned her father as they traveled. She asked her father to define the word “sex”. He turned and looked at her, but said nothing. At last he stood, lifted his heavy briefcase from above and put it on the floor. “Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?” he said. “It’s too heavy,” she said.

“Yes,” he said. “And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load.  It’s the same way, Corrie, with knowledge.  Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it.  For now you must trust me to carry it for you”.

Wow, what wisdom! Corrie’s father was thoughtful and didn’t shun the question, but gave his precious daughter a reasoned, profound answer. We can all learn from his response.  I would bet that he was a man who took in the Word, prayed about life, and applied the truth he knew. And at a critical moment, his words were wise.

We all have choices which constantly confronting us. Life is full of circumstances that easily drain us. I believe God has something to say to each one of our choices and our circumstances. I also sense that while most Christ followers agree that wisdom (the mind of God revealed) is wonderful, very few are seeking it. What about you?

If getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do, seek it!