Stepping out in faith is a big deal. It doesn’t matter what others say; until you take that step for yourself, all the words you read and hear about it have little to no concrete meaning to you. Following Jesus step by step with Him is very costly, and yet with that there is the joyous knowledge that He is with us and encourages us by referring us to the Spirit He’s given us. One benefit of His Spirit’s presence is access to godly wisdom.
Prioritising wisdom is something I wish I had done as a young man. Of all the qualities to get switched on, wisdom is truly the best, and it’s not about being smart, clever, or intelligent. Godly wisdom connects us to how God shapes and maps life to be lived out for His glory and to produce the wonderful outcomes of His peace. It’s marvellous how that wisdom kicks in when we want to fly off the handle and give someone a piece of our mind – as if we have any pieces left to give. It’s brilliant how that wisdom helps us to stop and truly consider: What’s the point of the act we’re about to do?
Investing time and energy in appreciating the Spirit of Wisdom we have inside because of the Holy Spirit is one of the best uses of time. The Spirit of Wisdom enables us, equips us, empowers us, protects us, and provides us with insight that marries all the knowledge and understanding that we can take in because of the wonderful resources at our disposal in Christ.
Responsibilities are elevated by the Spirit of Wisdom, so we see them for what they are in our worship of God. Responsibility to manage ourselves, responsibility to manage our relationships, responsibility to manage the resources God gives us – all these seen through the lens of the Spirit of Wisdom means we don’t dismiss tasks and activities as though they don’t matter or are irrelevant. If God points us to them – from personal hygiene to working in the office to supporting friends and serving the community- these are done to God by the wisdom He gives us, so we do them the way He loves it.
It is such a wonderful gift to have the Spirit of Wisdom operating within, and it’s often neglected because of the counterfeit wisdom of the world. Worldly wisdom gives the impression of looking after number one, as well as doing what appears smart for others. God points out, however, that worldly wisdom chains us to selfish ambition and works that make us more dependent on what rusts, corrupts, and fades away.
Thank God for the Spirit of Wisdom, which leads to a rule of righteousness and produces the fruit of peace that reflects the God who made the world a peaceful place and will usher in the fullness of that shalom on the return of His Son. Until that time, we get glimpses and insights as we operate according to the precious gift of the Holy Spirit living in us – that enables us to experience the Spirit of Wisdom.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
