Wisdom from Heaven
I thought of this blog in some restless moments of my late night/early morning insomnia. Have you ever felt like you needed some wisdom? Were overwhelmed by a situation and didn’t know what to do? That situation keeps cropping up for me. I’ve learned that when you are repeatedly faced with a situation, it usually because you were supposed to learn something from it that you apparently haven’t learned yet. Kind of like repeating your times tables over and over until you have them memorized.
Right now I really need some wisdom. I’ve had this verse on the refrigerator for some time, but was really looking at it the other day, and honestly spent some time in prayer and reflection on it:
James 3:17 – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Have you ever asked God for something and then weren’t quite prepared for what you got? I like that the wisdom I have asked for will be pure……to me that means holy and straight from God himself, not at all based on my own limited knowledge or understanding. After all, I can’t see the future, or usually even the big picture. Peace-loving…..I like that part. I’m definitely looking for some peace, and loving the idea of having some. Considerate……hmm, that means I have to consider everyone involved. The things I’ve been considering are not necessarily what follows in the rest of the verse (submissive, full of mercy….impartial?). That’s going to be a bit difficult. But not as hard as the submissive one. Submissive to who? To God’s will? I think I can do that part, with some help from Him. Being submissive to others is the big part I have trouble with. Full of mercy and good fruit…sometimes I am loathe to show mercy to others. Of course, I know that I am not deserving of it, and in my sinful human brain, neither are they. After all, I’m not God, I don’t have endless amounts of mercy and grace oozing out of my pores. Probably one of the reasons I keep repeating this “lesson”. But, along with the mercy (forgiveness undeserved) will come good fruit. I like the good fruit part. Impartial and sincere……so, removing myself subjectively from my emotions and seeing the situation objectively……and truly meaning all of the above other things that I am doing.
I don’t know about you, but I think that verse gives a mighty tall order. God, I sure do need some wisdom. I openly accept the type you give me, and you know I will need your help in using your wisdom to act in accordance to your will in this situation.
