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Reflection on wisdom

Hebrews 4:12-13; Wisdom 7:7-11; Mark 10:17-30

 

Have you ever thought why the Bible rates wisdom as one of the highest principles to obtain ?

Us human beings are conscious because of intrinsic emotions. Then our reality is how we explain those emotions . God formed us and keeps us in being , but gave us a free will. The frightening thing is that we form reality according to how we use that free will in our thinking.

God did not leave us orphans, and speaks to us through His Word. But we still need to work out the maize .. a thin line.. a price to be paid because of free will and it all starts here with wisdom. Wisdom from God!

 

 

We read in : Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart

 

Now this may sound dramatic, but is the absolute truth, a universal law from our Maker. It does not matter if you believe it or not, it will form your destiny and affect your quality and way of life.

 

In the book of Wisdom, Solomon’s respect and yearning for wisdom, brings this truth home ( Wisdom 7:7-10). Wisdom is more important than all the things we might consider important: power , money , health and beauty.

And we get it by praying, asking God and studying His Word . He even continues by saying all good things in life come from wisdom.

 

Right! – So is this true or just another Bible story?

Let me connect the dots from low too high to be able to understand wisdom:

First IQ (The Intelligence Quotient) :You see a fool with a high IQ is a clever fool but still a fool! (Wisdom is how to integrate that knowledge into life: )

Then, common sense (which - as GK Chesterton dryly remarked - is not so “common”!), …..and is the ability to see and handle a situation (the train smash!), normally with no regard to others’ feelings.

Then we move on to EQ (Emotional Intelligence / Quotient): The ability to recognize, understand, and express one’s emotions, as well as the ability to recognize, understand, and respond to the emotions of others . So much closer, but still not good enough!

That brings us to wisdom. For that we need God and His Word and an intrinsic faith to get to or attain this Wisdom.

Wisdom is a quality that combines virtue and a wit. (“Wit” being and old-fashioned term for a quick understanding / keen intelligence.

It is EQ plus it includes compassion, selflessness, the ability to consider the perspectives of others, and most of all discernment between right and wrong.

Without wisdom, you won't have the discernment to tell the difference between right and wrong.

Now moving to the world, studies tells us why it is of utmost importance. Remember the world knows EQ :

Studies shows Emotional intelligence provides us with the skills to be a better, happier, more engaged person… someone who works well with others, positively impacts the workplace environment, and increases productivity…and is healthier. It is a win-win for everyone……

Another study confirms: “Ninety percent of the success of outstanding leaders is attributable to EQ, which is twice as important as IQ,” that people with high EQ tend to have better general health, quality of life, relationship quality, and personal effectiveness.

Wisdom is a learned process. Your faith turbo charges EQ into wisdom!

An internet search reveals studies that found that people who practice an intrinsic religion (i.e. a religion from the heart) and not extrinsic religion ( i.e. what they can get out of it ) have a higher EQ : So What Soloman saw in wisdom is confirmed in modern studies.

A Practical example in the Bible how it works is found in the parable of the rich young man Mark 10:17-30

Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life ?

This Rich Man had all the knowledge and he could recite the Law to Jesus word for word - he played it by the rules – but did that make him happy ?

No! He was still a knowledgeable but sad person. He never learned to integrate that knowledge in life.

‘And Jesus looking upon him loved him, God knew this man is like us: trying to do the right thing but struggling through life because of a lack of wisdom, but never learning to live from the heart; to put his knowledge to work.

So He gave this advice: and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.

Jesus is telling Him ( you and me!) that we must learn to relax and to live with Him , to love people to humble ourselves , to show mercy , and not to worry about riches power and fame. They are not and end, they are means to live this life with others around us with a heart and an understanding of them and ourselves.

A lack of wisdom made this man unable to see the wood from the trees : Sadly enough wisdom takes hard work and a spark. This young man went away sad, but not questioning himself as to why he felt sad! The very thing he loved made him sad He did not see what Solomon had seen and heard what Jesus told his disciples :

“How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” and one dares to say to be happy from with-in.

You see, life is a burden not because he is learned and rich ( values we also see ), but because he is blind to wisdom.

It is a human flaw. That is why the disciples asked: “Then who can be saved?”

27, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

So let us try to put it together :

See with IQ we need to learn from God’s word , and the good around us and live with God

EQ to be in touch with emotions of self and others and with God to be in the moment. To practise mindfulness is to be in the moment; to see and feel our emotions and those of others and, learn from God’s Word and talk to Him in prayer.

Then to attain wisdom we need to be able to see right from wrong , and put it into practise.

We must learn from others and self: do not be like the young man that only sees the rules in the world and forgets that happiness, living in the Kingdom of God is all about relationships: with self with -others and with God.

We also need to prepare and water the ground

The start of wisdom is fear / respect for God. To see and recognise our shortcomings and then to ask God.

To practise Mindfulness and Spiritual exercises like The Examine and Lectio Divina , moving into contemplation with God . (God speaks mostly in the silence. )

To work on our relationships : practise a humble , merciful Spirit , to love and to be peace makers.

A good place to start will be with the Beatitudes.