Wisdom

 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

 (Proverbs 1:7, NASB)

I am getting a wisdom tooth removed.  It will be the second time I have had wisdom teeth removed - and the joke always comes that of course I will not be as wise after I have this one removed.  Which would be bad - I do not have too many left!  Of course we know that wisdom does not actually come from our teeth - but many of us live in such a way that searches for wisdom in some very foolish places.  Wisdom is not found in our television set - or online - or in the opinions of people.  Wisdom is not found in pursuit of money.  Wisdom is found in only one place.  Wisdom is found in God.  In the fear of God.  In obedience to God.  In doing what God wants.

We all want to be wise.  But most of us want to be wise on our own terms.  Or we want to be wise in our own eyes.  Or in the estimation of our friends.  Few of us want to be wise in the sense of fearing God and surrendering our lives to His will and purpose for us.  And yet this is where true wisdom lies.  

So if you are starting school, or going back to work this week, or taking one last vacation, remember that your wisest course of action is to follow and seek after God in all that you do.  Hopefully I will be able to do that this week too.  Even if I am missing a tooth!

Growing Up

 I was thinking on birthdays the other day.  Every year, on the same day, one comes around to let us know that we are one year older.  And we tend to mark these days by moments of progress.  Our first birthday we are somewhere near crawling and maybe even walking for those really fifth birthday we are getting ready for school.  By 16 we are driving.  And then sometime we stop counting because the milestones become less enjoyable - things start hurting and breaking down.  But we mark the passage of these milestones by inviting others to celebrate with us.  

I wonder if we viewed Christian growth in this way if it would help us - to think about what maturity looks like and to aim for that.  To mark progress toward maturity by celebration and joy with those who have gone before us and after us.  To give thanks for our growth and maybe even have a little cake. Instead we simply think of this kind of maturity as something that just happens and it goes without fanfare.  

So if you see someone growing in Christ - tell them you want to celebrate with them.  And even enjoy some cake with them if it helps!