People
all over the world search for wisdom; we share an inner longing for true
knowledge, understanding, and insight. We seek the inner compass that navigates
us from naiveté to discernment, from recklessness to discretion, from injustice
to fairness, from discord to peace. We pursue meaning that we know exists in an
authority outside of ourselves, elusive though it seems, beyond our natural
reach.
The
quest for wisdom transcends generational boundaries, and Solomon, regarded the
wisest man who ever lived, promised this to all of us who embark upon it: if we
“call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,”[i] we will discover it. If we
“look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,” then we
will find “the knowledge of God.”[ii] If this weren’t
encouraging enough, the ancient king of Israel assured us wisdom is looking for
us, too! “Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? . .
. ‘To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are
simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.’”[iii]
So
we cry out for wisdom, even as wisdom calls out to us. To our great relief,
there is a rendezvous point, a place where we would-be companions can find each
other. It is the spot on the map marked, “the fear of the Lord.” It is the
point at which we believe God, trust God, relinquish our wills to His ways, and
rest our weary souls in Him. Those who seek insight can be united with it
there, for “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of
the Holy One is understanding.”[iv]
Go
to that spot—the place of reverence for God and awe of Him, the place of belief
and trust in His Word. There you will find wisdom waiting for you.
If
any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without
reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)
Christ in me is wisdom.
Today’s post is an excerpt from Christ in Me. Copyright © 2016 Paul Nordman. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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