The Wise say What?

'But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man doesn't comprehend it's worth; it can't be found in the land of the living.

The deep says, "It's not in me";
the seas says, "It's not with me."

It can't be bought with the finest gold, nor can it's price be weighed in silver...nor in ophir or sapphires...nor can crystal or jewels compare with wisdom.

Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

God even said to man, "The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil understanding."'

I was reading the interaction between Jesus and Pilate the other day. Pilate attempts to figure out who Jesus is or at least claims to be, a king. In response Jesus says, 'You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I am incarnate, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.'

Interesting that Jesus turns the conversation of power and right and authority on it's head and gets to the heart of the issue...Truth. 'What is truth?' is the famous response of Pilate and one that everyone must ask at some point in their journey through life.

Truth. Where can it be found? The very same place that wisdom and understanding are found. In fact Truth is the source of wisdom and wisdom is the overflow of truth in a persons life. Understanding is the bridge between truth and wisdom.

In the sinner it enlightens them to the truth of the Gospel and then displays itself in the life of the believer through orthopraxy, right living, according to the truth of God. It is the development of a truly orthodox disciple, one who desires and wisely understands the truth of the Gospel.

Where do these things come from: wisdom, understanding, truth? They come from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth...that is Christ. And they appear in the one who confirms this truth through a humbles confession of Christs kingship in their personal life and the universe at large.

Read Job 28 on finding wisdom. Read John 18 on Jesus' eternal claim and Pilate's ongoing question.

Pretty Freakin' Serious

Seriously. That's how I take myself too often. Very seriously.

I often feel as though I intrinsically have something to protect that's so important I need a specialized-overestimated-emotionally-charged-internal-security-system that sounds an alarm when this important aspect of my life is called into question and defends with 'seriousness'.

What's all the more interesting is that in any given circumstance or interaction with anyone other than myself I have to be reminded that I don't have to feel like a child. That I am developing talents and abilities to offer others. That the Spirit of God has actually equipped me with gifts able for building up His kingdom.

How does a person feel like a five yr. old sitting at the adult table and simultaneously take themselves unnecessarily serious?

Pride. The underrating of who God has created me to be destructively mixed with an over-saturated attitude of the worldly self.

Imagine flipping those on their faces. Wringing out the soggy view of self that so drains my spirit and being saturating with the fantastic Spirit of God Who is Life.

Seriously, how awesome that would be to maintain that mindset daily. Pretty freakin' awesome if you ask me.

Read through creation and the cross in the Scriptures - you'll be reminded of the uniqueness of the human and the value and love God has for us in both creation and death and, of course, reconciled creation.