Wisdom
Imagine my surprise, when after filling out my connect card for the week and asking for prayers for two things….one of them was the topic of the sermon on Sunday, which was seeking Godly wisdom. What did I ask for? Strength and Wisdom.
I am no Solomon, but there are times when the weight of responsibilities I have as a school administrator, mother, wife, daughter and friend require a portion of wisdom to keep my personal kingdom from collapsing and weigh my heart down with a heaviness when there are decisions that seemingly have no clear or decisive answer.
It may be nothing like King Solomon settling a maternal claim over a child with a drawn sword, but in my life it is equally as daunting, at times puzzling and maybe even a little bit scary. There are life altering decisions that carry the burden and the weight of making the wrong decision, doing something foolish and even with the best of intentions, causing unforeseen and lasting collateral damage.
Maybe that comes with age, as you look back on decisions - which at that time were the best you could muster, trusting in the wisdom and council of others, or believing that you clearly heard God’s voice in guiding your choices, but in walking it out, you are still living with the ramifications of those decisions and judgments of others who misunderstand your actions or in the eyes of the world they appear foolish and unwise.
What do I mean? Sometimes God’s direction is to just be still, patient and wait on Him. We live in a world of quick fixes...call a repairman, take a pill, run a diagnostic, see a therapist...There are solutions to everything and many are immediate in the blink of an eye. We expect a solution to everything-diagnose and prescribe. So much of life is just not that way. It is a process, a journey, a deepening and calling further and further into the heart of Jesus.
Because I may be a few steps ahead of some of you on my journey and starting to walk down the other side of life’s mountain, I’ve been through the gamut of understanding wisdom. I’ve been through the childhood view of wisdom, where my parents and grandparents knew everything; the later adolescent phase of believing that I knew it all and my parents suddenly were ill-advised and shortsighted; next I transitioned through the middle years where I relied on myself and thought my experience, knowledge and education was enough to make rational decisions, and now where am I? I am experiencing a throwback to the child, who recognizes that my own wisdom is flawed, inadequate, insufficient and faulty, and finally I have come full circle to realize that God’s wisdom is flawless, perfect and at times beyond my understanding.
It has been for me a coming face to face with myself, coming to the end of earthly striving for wisdom and just saying, “ I am your child, and I just don’t know! Or “God, I rely totally on your wisdom, trust in your timing and rest in your plan for this struggle in my life.”
With that comes peace because it is no longer in my hands and it cannot fail. Whether I see the abundance of that wisdom in my life; whether others understand my steps or see me as unwise; whether others think they have a quick, clear and easy fix, I can rest in the mystery of God’s wisdom, power and knowledge.
This week is Thanksgiving. I pray that all our families here at Regen experience a place filled with peaceful gratitude and grace while surrounded and embraced by others, family by blood or by adoption. Remember those whose hearts are a little broken because their circle has been severed by division, loss, grief, hurt or unresolved pain. I pray that God gives them wisdom and strength to hold fast and draw deeper into trusting in His wisdom that will carry us into His divine plan for our lives.
Colossians 2:2-3
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (NIV)
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (NIV)
James 3:17
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.
-Kay
Kay Suzelis and her husband Len live in Lake Milton, and Kay serves as the Intermediate School Principal for the LaBrae Local School District.
