Originally published in the November 2018 edition of The Arise Shine.
“MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).
Wisdom eludes even the most focused seeker. One must possess a truth (knowledge) and then be enlightened (understanding) by what that truth means. Even then, wisdom requires patience and humility in how to wield that understanding. It is no simple task to speak wisdom. Neither is it a common possession.
We, simple few, wander in perilous times. Chaos lays behind every door. The adversary waits to press it into our lives. His methods are many, but the result is the same; to confuse and nullify; to degrade and destroy. The black of chaos drowns Wisdom's voice. It cries out in the dark, but it is hard to hear. Perhaps, sometimes we can't hear it at all.
This blackened void reaches us every day. It rests in the conversations with our families, friends, and colleagues. Every step we take and every word we speak can swing the door open wide and allow the wolves of chaos inside. This action can weaken wisdom's hold in our lives. We make monsters out of our brethren and wolves out of sheep. How do the chosen respond to such a force?
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Throughout human history, the serpent has been an emblem of wisdom and cunning. It can climb or burrow without reliance on hand or foot. It moves through the terrain with the lowest viewpoint of any common beast, and yet it is quietly determined to survive. It reveals itself when necessary. It is careful in its choices. It is meticulous. The wise snake knows the outcome of its path. Be wise like the low serpent that must survive without limbs.
“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Proverbs 2:10,11).
Seek knowledge and pursue understanding of it. Cultivate patience, mercy, compassion, and long-suffering. Maintain the unity of the brethren while the Spirit of God changes our personalities and our lives for the better. It is in this changing time that His wisdom will thrive amongst us. Then, we will be.
Be.
