Quite frankly, many people and things are appealing; however, nothing and no one is as appealing as wisdom. The truth is, any car or vehicle can get you to any destination on land; but your choice of Range Rover over Truck will not only get you there faster, you will be safer – That is wisdom!
Knives can cut any tree, cutlasses can cut any tree; but tree cutting machines will do it speedily, safely with greater chance for success. It is not enough to do anything – start a new business, get married, propose to a lady, start an NGO, start a fellowship or ministry or contest for an election; you must fully appraise yourself and your actions, if they are strength-based or wisdom-based.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
The reality today is bit far from this Scripture; most people do not consider wisdom to be worthy of a place among their top options, as long as they have enough money, enough people, enough time, enough publicity, enough prayers, enough procedures and enough educations. People often forget that there is not enough of anything, when there is not enough wisdom. That implies that what makes every other thing enough, is not the quantity of such thing; but the wisdom applied with the use or consumption or enjoyment of the thing.
Two Military Generals may lead armies of equal numbers of personnel and ammunitions; but if they differ on their application of wisdom, they will have different experiences at the battlefield. Indeed, it is wisdom that makes what you have enough;: therefore, your faith or trust ought not to be in what you have; but on the wisdom, which amplifies, solidifies and multiplies your possessions.
I am convinced that if you have people, money, position, time and opportunity; but you lack the wisdom – all you have will disappear! Therefore, it is not you that can keep your people, your money, your position, your time and your opportunity. It is the wisdom!
I must therefore remind or inform you about the three things wisdom can do for anybody – irrespective of gender, race, age, religion or language.
So Elihu, the son of Barachal of Buzite, answered and said:
“I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not believe my opinion to you. I said, `Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom’. But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice.
Job 32:6-8
Self-deceit is more injurious that any plague on earth; hence, we must be clear about where we are and what we have. Enough of counting on age, race or religion – all that are not guarantees of wisdom; and without wisdom, our lives cannot exude true or correct glory and honour. The three (3) consequents of wisdom in any life are listed below:
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Safety:
My son, let them not depart from your eyes – keep sound wisdom and discretion;……Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 3:23
Safety can be promised anywhere, at anytime by anybody; but the real safety is only found in wisdom. Note what the ancient proverb says, “...and your foot will not stumble.” The wisdom will not remove the evil from the way; but will remove you from the way of evil. Oftentimes, we want to do anything and get away with it; however, with wisdom, you will know what to do and not to do. A little boy will not mind touching a burning fire; but you and I know better – that is wisdom!
Starting fights everywhere, believing that you will win is not wisdom; but knowing the fight to start, and knowing the fight to stop is wisdom!
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Speed:
I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right path. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.
Proverbs 4:11-12
Besides being safe in and with wisdom, your life will equally benefit from speed. You cannot be faster in life than the engine (strength and magnitude) of vehicle that conveys you – while a 1993 model of Honda car can travel to any part of your country; a 2014 model of Honda will do it faster and safer. That is why you cannot afford to stop learning: for wisdom is progressive. The Scripture says, “..Get wisdom…get understanding..” Don’t be carried away by your first or second degree; even as a primary school leaver is not supposed to get carried away. There is always more to learn and more to unlearn. However, the more you know and understand; the faster you achieve your goals.
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Success:
If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.
Ecclesiastes 10:10
Why chase success everywhere, while success is chasing wisdom everywhere? Enough of this celebration of mediocrity; enough of reminding yourself about how good or great you used to be; enough of wishing for the good old days – wash your feet, shine your armour and begin to learn – for wise people does nothing else aside learning. When a wise man or woman is married; or see her as a married woman, all he sees is a learning man or she sees is a learning woman. While most people exist, some people live, and a fewer some learn. My own desire is to be a lifelong learner – learning marriage, the Kingdom, leadership, service and stewardship, and learning from my LORD about Him and about me. So, what about you?
