Pursuing Wisdom: Invisible Wealth

Don't give me riches or fame, women or friends, power or honor, but wisdom. For wisdom is as precious as rubies; rarer than the holographic Charizard I sought after as a kid.

Wisdom is the cause and the effect. Wisdom is the result and the result of. Wisdom is attainable by all, pursued by some, and found by few. 

Proverbs 1:20-21

Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech

Wisdom is heard by all, listened to by some, and followed by few. 

What is wisdom then, can I claim to understand it? Well, I have pursued it for some time. There is no age limit for wisdom. I have sought after it since my father encouraged me as a child that I had made a "wise decision" by taking out the juice jug before trying to shove the milk jug in the fridge. I liked that. So I pursued it. Have I attained it? Yes and no. Wisdom comes in bite sizes, choice morsels. I have taken several bites out of a sandwich you could say is too big for me. All I hope to do is encourage you to pursue wisdom, for it would be hopeless and contradictory to simply explain it here even if I could.

Worldly wisdom is simply how we cope with our life. It is, as Dr. Patton would say, the Cheeto to get us through the next 10 seconds of our "miserable existence". 

True wisdom comes from the Lord. It is fed to us through experiences, people, silence, and most importantly, the word of God. You must understand that Wisdom is given by God but consumed by us. You cannot obtain wisdom by simply reading. You could not even obtain wisdom if Jesus himself were here to explain it to you. The disciples didn't and they ministered with him everyday.



Proverbs 2:1-6 says this...

"My son, if you accept my words

   and store up my commands within you,

2 turning your ear to wisdom

   and applying your heart to understanding—

3 indeed, if you call out for insight

   and cry aloud for understanding,

4 and if you look for it as for silver

   and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD

   and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom;

   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

We must pursue it! Those who don't want to believe will not believe, but those who pursue wisdom and understanding will find it. I believe that is a promise. 

But you must know this, Wisdom will not bring you to wealth, riches, power, or fame. In fact, wisdom might just pull you the other direction. Wisdom is obtaining a perspective that shatters all barriers and finds life in what we see as broken. Wisdom is self disciplined, thankful, patient, prudent, kind, courageous, and content. Wisdom is not dealing with our "miserable existance" but understanding just how wonderful it is and a making the most of every second. 

Therefore, pursue wisdom and carry with you love; for wisdom without love is nothing.