Scripture: James 1:5
But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.
Thought for the Day: How many of you can remember sitting in a classroom and praying to God for the answer on the test? Maybe I was the only one who sought divine intervention when I clearly did not study as I should have. Too often people mistake correct answers with wisdom. There might be some overlap, but wisdom is something that goes far beyond academic degrees or book knowledge. In fact, there are a lot of people with multiple degrees who are not terribly wise in regard to daily choices, how they perceive life and the relationship they have. Now is James suggesting that in our moment of crisis, we can quickly turn to God, ask for wisdom, receive wisdom, and find our way out of the crisis? Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t believe that’s what James is suggesting. I imagine that asking God for wisdom as an ongoing work of faith. It is about prayer, study, listening, patience, spiritual awareness, discernment, grace for self and others, etc. Each of these is associated with Spiritual Disciplines, and there is not a Spiritual Discipline Vending Machine where the correct changed will provide instant gratification. Those who I would describe as wise are usually the quickest to distance themselves from wisdom as they are very humble and do not see themselves in that way. Later in the third chapter of James, we find the following: “Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom.” Humility appears necessary for wisdom, and wisdom is a product of humility.
Prayer: Like Solomon of old, let me seek wisdom above all things. O Gracious God, may the generosity of your Spirit and the receptiveness of my heart come together that wisdom might flourish. Amen.
BIG SATURDAY
