Wisdom From Above

I heard a word today that I haven’t heard often in the last number of years. We were sitting at breakfast this morning before going into the final session of a Christian ministries conference, and a member of our local congregation came and sat down with us. This young business owner and his wife have 3 school-aged children, and we were talking about the responsibility we feel as parents to provide opportunities for our children to learn, grow and discover the satisfaction of pursuing a passion. He said, “I want them to have a sage.’

“Sage” is an old-fashioned word, and I was utterly charmed to hear this young man use it so deliberately. It seems a rare thing today for the young to value that which is venerable, to give honor to the patient and persevering faithfulness required to gain wisdom through decades of pursuing excellence in a particular discipline.

My first fond and tender thought was toward the wise ones in my life who have been willing to tutor me along the journey, and then, with a bit of a jolt, I realized I am probably, at this point in life, considered to be old, if not wise. Now, there is earthly wisdom, and there is heavenly wisdom. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

Interestingly, the next Scripture that came to mind was this: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 ESV) And then in Hebrews 12:3: “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (ESV)

Now, it may seem strange to connect wisdom with not growing weary or fainthearted, and possibly it is because of my own recent experience of having more on my plate, as it were, than I did in my forties. Nevertheless, it is the connection I believe God wanted me to make, and here’s why: there is wisdom in considering the person of Christ. The true knowledge of Him who abides with me sustains me while transforming me, and it is His power at work in me that will produce peace, gentleness, mercy and sincerity. I need not grow weary, because His faith and hope are alive in me, and my journey is one of trusting and following.

Dear reader, consider the source of wisdom in your life. Thank God for the venerable ones who shared their wisdom with you, and ask Him for His wisdom. Verily, it will produce the fruit of righteousness.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

Until next week, beloved, consider the God of wonders, whose wisdom created you for His own good pleasure.