December 4, 2023

Reflections – Wisdom

Wisdom is one of the most important themes of the Bible. There are even books of the Old Testament that are referred to as “Wisdom Literature.” (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc.) In the gospels, Luke says that after being found at the temple, the child Jesus “…grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52). And James wrote to the Jewish diaspora, “…If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously…” (James 1:5.

One pastor who oozes with wisdom has suggested that the key to all of life lies in what you do when you first wake up in the morning. Do you turn on the news and hear all the bad stuff that has happened overnight? He says that everyday TV news has three messages: 1. Worry, 2. Be afraid, and (tongue in cheek) 3. “Have a great day!” But how can we have a “great day” if we worry and are afraid?

Most of us have a lot of information at our disposal (iPhone, Google, Wikipedia, etc.), but we have little wisdom. A better alternative to the morning news might be to begin the day reading the Bible or some other spiritual literature such as the “divine liturgy,” perhaps line by line, using an index card to “hear” every word. Grab a cup of coffee, recline in an easy chair, and become filled with the Word of God. Then, go out and “Have a great day!”

Thirty-seven years ago, my eight-year-old daughter was already thinking of God’s plan for her life. She even wrote a little prayer, “How Can You Find God’s Plan?” It included these words, “…God will tell me over periods of time, designating His plan to me in the Bible. See, will I, what His plan is for me. Plan will He, and I will obey. Look and pray, will I? And I will always trust Him. Never will I doubt Him…” Now, at age 45, these thoughts are still as meaningful to her as they were back then.

I know of two approaches to seeking God through the Bible. One is simply to read it. Perhaps you might set a goal of reading the entire New Testament in a given period of time. There are many listings of what to read each day. Another approach is to read very slowly and focus on whatever phrase strikes you on that day at that time. Stop right there and meditate on what that means to your life. This is sometimes called the process of “Lectio Divina” or Divine Reading. In either case (or both), let the Word of God fill your mind throughout the day.

What do you usually fill your mind with? Wisdom would suggest that one can do no better than to focus on the Word of God and then allow that Word to speak in the silence between our thoughts. Try to grow that focus this week!

Blessings and peace,

Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org

Read more Reflections: Chaplain’s Corner.