Would you mind taking a moment to read this Proverb with me? I can’t make any promises, though I have a feeling it may have an impact on you in the same way it did me.
From what I’ve gathered in my lifetime, wisdom doesn’t happen quickly. It takes time, effort, and energy. Wisdom applies to more than our decision making. It is a virtue to be cherished and a practice worth pursuing.
Wisdom is your awareness developing.
A compassionate way of understanding.
One’s ability to be discerning.
In wisdoms case, knowledge is kinetic, experiences are essential, and clear choices are commonplace.
All outside noises aim to distract the wisdom within us. Wisdom is found in the quiet, listening moments. Before reading this scripture, I found myself mid doom scroll, “taking a moment to decompress”, and it felt exhausting.
Although I’d failed the attempt to relax my mind a bit, a thought struck me. “The book of life is just as easy to access as this book of doom. Why do I continuously choose to absorb all of this outside noise when I could be reading the news about what God’s going to do?”
With no plan in mind, I closed out my social media and went to the bible app. Sometimes when I don’t know where to start, I’ll play Bible roulette. I’ll plug in a topic and see what I get.
I typed in “life abundantly”. Not sure where the thought came from, though I liked the preview of the Proverbs verse below. If you’ve got a minute, pause what you’re doing to absorb this with me.
“Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life.
Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
Turn away and keep moving.
For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.
They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”
Right away, I felt comforted by wisdom being called a “she”. It gives a safe motherly vibe that social media has yet to achieve. My heart softened as I continued to read.
While I felt comforted my first time reading these words, I felt a renewed strength to choose wisdom over worry. I felt a call to study God’s word before I slip into a doom scroll. At the very least, to arm me with whatever wisdom I need before I read about the next fire happening on the internet.
A Proverbs Punch List to Being Wise
Don’t turn your back.
Develop good judgment.
Take hold of wise instructions.
Don’t do as the wicked do.
Don’t follow the path of evildoers.
Listen carefully.
Don’t lose sight.
Guard your heart above all else.
Avoid all perverse talk.
Fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Don’t get sidetracked.
Keep your feet from following evil.
We have a source of worry and a source of wisdom at our fingertips. If you had to choose one that you needed today, which one would you pick?
There is a book called the bible that is packed full of spiritual awakening and wise text. When we open the channel for God to exist, our life can be changed in a single moment. The more often we return to the idea that we have a good God that wants to connect, we are exposed to life changing moments over and over again.
Bad news will always be easy to find. The life giving good news from the bible is one of a kind.
As you scroll on through your day, my hope is that these words comfort you and protect you. My hope is that a seed is planted and roots of wisdom grow deeply within you. Your challenge is to water those roots and tend to the good fruits that wisdom begets.
Makenna Curtis
Local Pulse Community Writer
Holy Moments
