A Word to the Wise
(NIV) 9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
I would imagine many of you are familiar with the first part of verse 10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” But let’s spend a few minutes looking at the selected verses.
I have known more than a few people with technical degrees, advanced graduate degrees and doctoral degrees. The saddest thing I have heard is when I try to talk with someone about God, and the response is, “I’m too smart to believe in God.” My immediate response is, “There’s no such thing.” You see, learning does not necessarily equate with wisdom.
At 74 I am engaged in Discipleship Training at The Church at Rock Creek in a program called Immerse led by my friend and pastor Greg Kirksey. I am not teaching, but I am a fellow student because God has given me enough wisdom to know there is still more for me to learn. As long as God gives us another day, we can still learn, we can help others learn, and we can rejoice in whatever state we are in.
How can we rejoice when our bodies have grown weak and our health is beginning to fail? We can rejoice for all the years we had good health. I rejoice that I was blessed to be able to proclaim God’s Word from the pulpit and in Assisted Living facilities, that I was privileged to teach Sunday Schools and Bible Studies, and pastor some really great congregations. I was honored to baptize children and adults, and oh how I love serving Holy Communion using the Great Thanksgiving liturgy. And I am blessed to still be called upon to lead celebration of life services for congregants who have passed from this life.
And now I rejoice that I am under sound teaching and it is my honor to be able to pray for and encourage the leaders of our church, Rev. Mark Evans, Rev. Greg Kirksey, Rev. Jason Curry, and our worship pastor Rue Buell. I thank God for Curtis Coleman, who imparts godly wisdom with such joy. I am so grateful for our team leader Jan Truitt and her wisdom, guidance, and kindness. And I am thankful that Larry and I have good enough health to be able to take care of each other.
We are never too old to learn, and the more we seek after holiness, the more wisdom God will impart to us. The more wisdom we receive, the more in awe we will be of our Lord God. And that, my friends, is really the end goal of receiving wisdom.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- Posted in: Blogs
Seeking Holiness 