Hot Fries
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. Proverbs 3:19-20
Insight
When was the first time you disregarded your parent’s advice? I clearly remember mine; it involved an appetizing plate of steaming hot fries. I was only four years old so when I was told not to touch them, I scoffed and dove right in. Sure enough, I snatched my hand back and began to cry at the pain coming from the burn. My mom then proceeded to hit me with the classic parental saying, “I told you so.”
When it comes to knowledge and wisdom, most people group them together and consider their definition to be the same. However, I think they are extremely far from each other because of one crucial component: application.
Everyone to a certain degree has knowledge. Knowledge is the ability to know something. We all know some common good practices: hot stuff burns, do not text and drive, exercise, do not live off of a diet of bacon, and so much more. But knowledge by itself is ultimately meaningless if we do not apply it. Wisdom is when we allow hot stuff to cool, we stay free of distractions while driving, we find ways to stay healthy, and we eat some vegetables with our bacon.
Wisdom is knowledge in action.
Many people think of wisdom as something reserved for those who are older, yet real wisdom comes with having the maturity to live out the knowledge we have. When it comes to the perfect description of someone with wisdom, a lot of us look to God. In fact, I do not think we give God enough credit for being the genius He is. God is an endless wealth of knowledge. One of the defining characteristics that separates Him from everyone else is that He is all-knowing. What also makes God who He is, is that He does not simply sit idle with His knowledge. He puts all of it into action.
God took the knowledge of all things and MADE all things exist. If the reality of that statement does not blow your mind then this will: the knowledge of God is made known to us, sort of. One of the greatest examples of God’s knowledge in action was when Jesus came to earth.
Jesus lived out knowledge and wisdom in such a way that it changed the lives of those around Him. Jesus wanted people to see that wisdom is one of the greatest gains we can have. Wisdom makes life better, and it can make you better at life.
We receive the invitation to walk in the same wisdom as Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us in this world. He gives us that nudge when something does not seem like a great decision, or He gives us that assurance when we’re making a wise choice. His Spirit helps us turn knowledge into action.
One of my favorite passages about wisdom comes from Isaiah and he wrote these words from God: “... as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).
This verse is a relief and a challenge. The relief is that we cannot know it all, and that is more than okay. God has no expectations for us to know everything. He already has that covered. We can rest knowing we do not have all the answers. The challenge in this truth is to trust. If we do not know it all and God does, then we should trust Him. As we trust Him, we find our desire for more wisdom is actually a desire for more of God.
Reflection
Where are you seeking your wisdom from?
What ways can you seek God, and allow wisdom to come from Him?
Prayer
Father, thank you for being an all-knowing God. In a world where we need more and more wisdom, may we find it in You alone. Help us to see that as we grow closer to You, we will find the wisdom we seek. Your thoughts and ways are higher than mine, and I am grateful that You invite me to follow You. I love You Father, and pray all of this in Your holy name, Amen.
Port City writer Davy Nance wrote today’s devotional.
