Why become wise?

Pr. 7:4:  “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your nearest kin.”

Wisdom is a wonderful thing.  We should always be striving to become more wise.  Wisdom brings with it things like prudence, diligence, discretion, respectfulness, humility, boldness, confidence, intelligence, ability, understanding and reason.  These are definitely qualities that are wonderful for us to have in this life.  Wisdom can help us be successful in our ventures, maintain and cultivate healthy relationships, and keep us from making choices that will endanger our lives.

It’s interesting; however, that Paul told the Corinthians that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  Does that mean we shouldn’t try to become wise?  Does that mean we shouldn’t grow and learn?  Of course not!  God has gifted each of us with different talents and abilities.  Not only that, but He has given us each different capacities for learning and different interests that He has intended for us to use in pursuit of the eternal goal.

We all have something different to offer this world.  Paul reminds us that God did not call many wise or mighty people.  He has chosen the foolish and weak things to bring Him glory.  I for one am weak.  (I didn’t want to admit to being foolish.  ha!)  Truly I am weak, though, and indeed foolish in many ways.  I am not the wisest or mightiest.  Paul himself said to the Corinthians,

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

That’s it.  He didn’t come to them in his own wisdom and power, but in God’s.  And why?  That their faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.  That’s exactly what our own weakness and foolishness can show in our lives.  When we think in worldly terms, we think of those things only as pure weakness.  Think of it the way this way, though.  When the weakest person gets up and allows God’s Spirit and power to use them in a mighty way, how much more powerful is that for us to witness?

If you know someone is barely able to walk or speak or move, but, under the power of the Spirit, they begin to shout, jump, or minister to people, is that not an amazing thing to witness?  If you hear someone who is mentally handicapped in any way begin to speak in a way that inspires and encourages and glorifies the Lord, is that not a power thing?  It is.

Our weaknesses are not weaknesses when we use them to glorify the Lord.  Yes, we should still strive for wisdom, but let it be through God’s strength as we rely on Him and His Spirit to guide us.  Let us allow Him to use us as a vessel that brings Him glory!

Foolishly,

jamie

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Well, aren’t you well spoken?

Pr. 15:23:  “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!”

I am sitting on a bench right now waiting while my son is with his speech therapist.  He has had a stutter for a while and meets with her once a week to try to learn ways to improve his fluency in speech.

His disfluencies mostly occur when he’s excited, wants to explain something, or wants to tell a story.  How I long for him to be able to express himself clearly as an adult.  I know he will have much joy in being able to speak clearly when trying to express himself and being able to speak a good word in due season when the time arises.

One thing I know; however, is that even if his speech never improves, if he has the Word of God in his heart, and he speaks that Word from his mouth it will not return void.  There are no discrepancies or disfluencies in God’s word.  The Word of God is pure, proven, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

No matter the vessel that holds and pours out the Word of God, God’s word goes forth the accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.  If you’re like me, I’m sure you’ve noticed that God’s word is always on time, as well.  A word spoken in due season, indeed.  Any time I need a good word spoken over me, God is faithful to use His word, His Pastors and teachers, His prayer warriors, His ministers of music, and His children to speak the exact word I need.

What I know for certain is that no matter our speech disfluencies, our weaknesses, our disabilities, or our faults, God’s word, if spoken from our mouths, will always go forth in power to complete the purpose for which it was spoken.  Continue filling yourself with His word.  In due season, someone will need to hear something you hold in your heart.  If you know their need then it stands to reason that no matter who you are…or are not…you are the person God wants to use to speak those words.

Don’t allow your weaknesses to hold you back from speaking God’s promises, precepts, power, and truth into someone’s life.  Remember that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.  Just be willing to be used and let God be the One who is perfect.  Someone needs to hear a good word from the Lord and the Lord is counting on you.

Speak life,
jamie