April 3: Be Wise

Let me start off by saying, I do not consider myself a "wise" person, by most standards.  I don't have a degree (yet), I'm not very advanced in years, there's a lot of aspects of life I've never experienced, and in many ways I am very foolish.  For example, I am horrible at sticking to things.  I've had over 20 jobs in my 10 years of working.  I'm also very impulsive.  If I want to do something, (within reason) I do it.  It doesn't matter if it isn't rational or responsible, I get the urge and then I act upon it.  I'm also quite careless.  I'll go out and do something spontaneous and fun, like climb a volcano or walk alone at night or drive through the mountains in a blizzard... without the slightest hesitation or fear that something might happen to me. In fact, just last week I went for a walk to get pics for an article, unaware that the slight sprinkle would turn torrential and the wind would end up turning my umbrella inside out a dozen times.  Luckily, others were looking out for me, and my Dad picked me up, mentioning that there was a tornado watch in effect, and "What was I thinking?"
     I've been thinking a lot today about wisdom.  According to Wikipedia, "Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time and energy."  Or in other words, it is not merely to have intelligence, but to apply that knowledge in making our decisions.  This can apply to all aspects of our lives- relationships, financial, health, spiritual.  Imagine if, when we were faced with a decision, we took a moment to reflect, to draw on our reservoirs of experience, knowledge, and observations, and to then make a decision.  Surely, our lives would be completely different, ever-rising before us an escalator of progression, rather than a set of stairs that we keep jumping up and down.  (This reminds me of the "Doe, Ray, Me" song in "The Sound of Music", my fellow nerds out there will know exactly what I mean:)  Through exercising wisdom, we can avoid many of the trials and temptations of life, and experience more fulfillment, peace, and happiness.


“O be wise; what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:12).