Wisdom isn’t free
I walked into a cavern. In the center was a giant crystal-clear bowl filled with an iridescent liquid that flowed within the bowl.
Despite the beauty in front of me, I was drawn to the back of the cavern to see an ordinary grey rock wall with a ragged face. I stood to the side and watched as people climbed the arduous wall. I watched one man in particular. When he reached the top, he painstakingly pulled off a thin piece of the wall and pulled it down with him to the ground. I was concerned the stone would cut his hands, but it did not. He then rolled this thin piece into the shape of a small scroll. To my surprise, he ate it.
“What am I seeing?”
“The difference between wisdom and discernment. Wisdom I freely give, but there is work to be done to bring it into yourself and make it a part of who you are. Anyone can ask for wisdom and it will be given, but it will take work to use it. The grey rock wall gives no promise of beauty or flash, in fact it only promises strenuous work.
Discernment is a gift I give you. You can dive in and develop that gift once I have given it to you. But I determine who to give it to and in what quantity. The level you access it is up to you. You can dive in head first, putting your faith in my ability to save you. Or you can just dip a finger in and never fully use your ability. Discernment is a gift given because of My generosity of grace it is not earned.”
***
I think in this world we are always looking for the easy button. A way to improve our lives without too much effort. I point the finger first at myself. I remember a specific time when I went to one of my closest friends for prayer and she gifted me with the knowledge I was operating from self-pity, not faith in the Lord. Ouch! It was the truth and when I faced it, I could see the reality of my life and move forward.
Wisdom isn’t free
If we have wisdom, we can be assured to choose the best option the next time we encounter a problem. Gaining wisdom doesn’t promise to be easy in the short term, but the long-term benefits are obvious. As we operate from higher levels of wisdom, wisdom will become a character trait that draws others in. This increased influence will benefit the Kingdom of God as the whole body benefits from God’s gifts.
I also need more discernment to determine the difference between good and bad, but also the difference between good and best. Our lives are so crammed with decisions, some with larger impact than others. If we walk in spiritual discernment given to us by God, the flashy things of this world will not fool us. We choose how much we accept and work with this discernment. Do we ignore the prompting to question a situation? Some circumstances seem to have an obvious solution, but if the Lord gives you the understanding that something is wrong, you need to investigate further. Even if other people think your hesitation is unwarranted.
What is some hard-earned wisdom from the Lord you could share with the body of Christ? Please share it here.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
Prayer for you and me: Lord, we need wisdom. Wisdom for our everyday life. Without Your kind of wisdom that is peaceful and submissive, we would make a mess of our lives. Grant us supernatural discernment coupled with faith so that we operate in Your will, fulfilling the destinies You have created us for. We desire to live our lives with the fullness You hand in mind for us since before time began. Remind us that Your wisdom is worth it when we struggle with fully accepting it. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Comments