The Way of Wisdom

"Wisdom has built her house;

she has set up its seven pillars.

She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;

she has also set her table.

She has sent out her servants, and she calls

from the highest point of the city,

'Let all who are simple come to my house!'

To those who have no sense she says,

'Come, eat my food

and drink the wine I have mixed.

Leave your simple ways and you will live;

walk in the way of insight."

Proverbs 9:1-6

There are so many voices calling out to me, luring me down varying paths promised to bring good things.  These messages sound beneficial at times, make sense, seem right.  How do I know if I'm on the right track?  Here is one way:

Correction.  It can be hard to hear.  I like to think I'm pretty smart, clever enough to choose the right way.  I'm not as good as I think, however.  I'm often off-base in my thinking, or what I cling to as truth is actually far from it, or the ways I've learned to cope with the ups and downs of life is not God's best for me.  How do I respond when a loving voice gently corrects me, showing me a better way, suggesting I might not have it right?

It's easy to be offended when I hear words of criticism, no matter how gentle.  Most people have been in the position of trying to offer words of advice or help someone else see the error of their ways and found themselves in the middle of a heated argument.  Heels are dug in, defenses raised, the nails come out and teeth are barred in preparation for a fight!  Then there are the rare times when the rebuke is received with thanks, and my words of suggestion are considered and treasured as vital to their growth.

Which category do I fall into?  Am I quick to defend my choices, refusing to even ponder the thought that I might be wrong?  Or do I gladly take direction from others, adopting a teachable spirit that believes there is always something new to learn?  The first is that of the foolish, the latter marks the wise (Proverbs 9:7-9).

I'm on the right track in life, following the way of wisdom, if I'm willing to accept instruction with great joy.

Attitude toward God.  He's the big guy upstairs.  He won't mind if I indulge; He knows I can't resist.  What can God do to help me?  Even He can't change a woman like me; I'm beyond saving.  It's up to me to find the answers.  Who am I that God would help a little guy like me?

It's easy to develop a low view of God, not seeing Him as He really is.  As I go through life and hear varying messages, I'm often swayed into giving God less and less respect.  While He is above all things, sovereign over all creation, powerful enough to speak the world into existence yet gentle enough to direct the lives of even the smallest of sparrows, I often relegate Him to nothing more than an impotent Grandfatherly type, an observing-yet-uninvolved far-away Being (Matthew 10:29-31).  I fail to revere Him as Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, Giver and Taker of life, the very Reason for my existence and the Center of all things.

I'm on the right track in life, following the way of wisdom, if I'm learning to respect God in all of His glory (Proverbs 9:10a).

Knowledge of God.  I live in the age of information.  There is a surplus of data waiting for me to gather it, a plethora of facts to peruse, a bunch of trivia with which to amuse myself.  I could spend every spare moment collecting knowledge.  But how much time do I spend getting to know God?  While it's not my intention to lay a burden of guilt on my shoulders, my desire (or lack of it) to grow closer to God and gain understanding of His ways is a good indicator of which direction I'm heading in life.  

If I'm more concerned with learning how to stem global warming, invest money, plant a successful garden, or a million other worthwhile interests, yet rarely wonder about God, wanting to find out more about His infinite character, it's time to take pause.  If I've developed a hunger for God and His Word, looking forward to each moment I spend with Him as He teaches me more about His deep ways, I'm headed in the right direction.  May I ask God to open the eyes of my heart so I will see all the blessings that are mine in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:16-21) and desire to know more each day.

I'm on the right track, following the way of wisdom, if I'm seeking knowledge of God (Proverbs 9:10b).

It's sometimes hard to know if I'm headed in the right direction.  With all of the choices available to me, I just might be gullible enough to be swayed into taking the wrong path or hard-headed enough to stick to the one that leads away from God's best for me.  How do I know?  There are many signs, but if I'm willing to accept correction, learning to revere God, and hungry for more knowledge of God, chances are I'm headed in the way of life.  It's not popular to walk the way of wisdom, but the heavenly treasure I find there is worth every struggle.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can value godly wisdom above worldly knowledge. 

When do I seek to grow my intellect but fail to cultivate my knowledge of God?

How am I showing disrespect for God in the way I think of Him or refer to Him in conversation?

Born for a New Life

"We were therefore buried with him

through baptism into death in order that,

just as Christ was raised from the dead

through the glory of the Father,

we too may live a new life."

Romans 6:4

When I was younger, I read a Stephen King novel called, "Pet Sematary."  The characters in this horror story learn of an ancient Micmac burial ground near their home where they foolishly bury their recently deceased pet cat.  The resurrected feline later returns home but is not quite the same: There is an unpleasant odor emanating from her body, her fur is disheveled, she seems to have developed a penchant for killing and tearing about small prey without consuming the flesh and her behavior is just plain strange.  Things go downhill from there.

Although I am not recommending this book or the practices found within, the premise is an interesting one: new life brings new characteristics.  While the change in temperament and personality of the "reborn" cat was disturbing, those that come from a new life through faith in Jesus are positive and godly.

As one who has been born again in Christ, I don't have to live the way I used to live.  Instead, I can live a new life! (John 3:3)

Led by the Spirit

Her life was busy and filled with many church activities.  She hungrily consumed all the Christian literature she could find, seeking to learn all she could about living for God.  Her desire to please Him drove her to say "yes" to every request for help from the church.  Even though her family complained that they missed her and the children cried when she left them with a sitter for the fifth time in a week, she felt the need to do her best for God.

This woman's zeal is misplaced.  Instead of being passionate about her relationship with Christ, she is nearly fanatical about her service for Him.  It is easy to find myself in this same predicament when I replace my devotion to Jesus and a desire to follow Him with a performance-based mentality.

Jesus noticed this same pattern occurring in the church at Ephesus.  He said that while they were very industrious, enduring trouble patiently, standing firm for the truth and enduring patiently, they have forgotten their first love: Christ.  (paraphrased from Revelation 2:1-4)

Jesus is to be the catalyst that drives my life.  As Oswald Chambers reminded, "We are not sent to battle for God, but to be used by God in His battlings.  Are we being more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ?"

If I am motivated by my own conscience, doing what I think I ought to do as a "good Christian," then I have forsaken my first love.

If I seek to do my best for God but leave Him out of the picture, then I have forsaken my first love.

If I am driven by guilt, jumping from activity to activity in order to make up for my sins, then I have forsaken my first love.

If Jesus is the Lord of my life and I aim to worship Him in the way that I live, then I will do only what He puts in my path as I follow Him and freely accept the love He has for me.

My new life in Christ inspires me to turn from my own plans, common sense and rationale, instead following my new lord: Jesus.

Created Anew

I enjoy watching makeover shows, whether it is a house, clothing style or way of life that is being renovated: Watching the old, unattractive, unhealthy stuff being removed and witnessing the transformation to the new is fascinating.  It's great to see how much of an improvement to someone's well-being a change can bring.

When I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, dedicating my life to Him, I undergo a kind of makeover. Instead of using paint, shopping sprees and strenuous exercise, however, God initiates the change supernaturally through His Spirit. (Ephesians 4:22-24)  Although my new creation is from God, I must let go of the old and bring in the new: it doesn't happen automatically.

If I continue in my old way of thinking, giving into worry, lust or deceitful thoughts, I am failing to shed my former skin.  Sin is no longer my only choice: I now have Jesus who will give me power to take captive every thought to glorify God.  (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8)

If I stay in my comfortable former pattern of seeking pleasure by giving in to overeating, worldly entertainment or obsessive social media, I am choosing to stay in my fleshly ways.  These sins need hold me no longer since I have the option of gaining my satisfaction in Jesus. (Psalm 37:4)

If I still make decisions based on what I think is right, using my own understanding, advice from others or selfish ambition to spur me along, I am acting as if I'm my own boss.  This old way is not my only alternative, as I now know the One who holds the blueprint for my life.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Instead of living to myself and what makes me happy, I now can take on my new mission; to glorify God by doing the good He has prepared especially for me to do!  (Ephesians 2:10)

My new life in Christ comes with a fresh purpose that brings new meaning to my days.

Knowledgeable in God

I read about an incident where a pastor was asked how he came to know God.  He said, "Son, I was driving down the road one day and heard birds chirping, and I knew then, I knew God." (from Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay, pg 103)

While nature does give us insight into God's presence and character, it is not the same as actually getting to know Him personally through faith in Jesus Christ.  When I belong to Him through faith, I acquire a desire to know Him better.  The basics of my faith, drives me forward into His kingdom where I learn to live in a way that honors God.

When circumstances seem impossible as the bills mount, relationships crumble and grief threatens to engulf, I can live joyfully due to the hope I have in my God who is able.  All resources are at His disposal, no heart is too hard for Him to soften and comfort is His specialty. (Psalm 50:10, Psalm 51:10-12, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

When affliction comes, bringing with it fear and uncertainty, I will find courage at my disposal to move forward as I remember the fruit of persecution. (Hebrews 10:32-36, Romans 5:3-5)  From this suffering comes patient and unswerving endurance, maturity of character, and hope in eternity.  These are benefits gained nowhere else but in the school of difficulties.

For the times when I feel like giving up, I will stand firm in prayer, witnessing the hand of God as He moves in response to my pleas.  My faith grows as I see the ways He comes through, consistently meeting my needs and answering my prayers. (James 5:16)

My new life in Christ leads to a knowledge of God that brings with it the tools to live a godly life.

Thankfully, the transformation that occurs in my life as I begin anew in Christ is not like what was experienced in Stephen King's thriller.  Instead, I can choose to be led by God's Spirit, take on my new identity and take seriously the knowledge God gives me about His kingdom.  In this way I will truly see how I was born for a new life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to pay attention to God's lead.

When do I go my way, ignoring God's teachings.

How am I doubting in God's ability to provide for my needs?