I am delighted to once again be joining other bloggers for Spiritual Journey Thursday. I missed a couple of months, but I am glad to be back this month. Today's journey is hosted by Ruth at There is no such thing as God-forsaken town and the theme is "I don't know." Please feel free to join me!
I have been studying the book of Proverbs this month, taking a deep dive into the definition of "wisdom." I am taking a chapter a day, but I think this is quite fitting for this month's theme: I don't know.
I always thought wisdom was information or facts I knew. I have come to learn that experiential knowledge is what lead leads to wisdom, not factual knowledge.
I have found five foundational principles throughout these first 10 chapters.
- wisdom--knowledge or an ability to make the right choices
- understanding--rational thinking
- prudence--ability to use reason to discipline ourselves
- knowledge--to experience reality
- discretion--behaving to avoid being offensive
- discernment--ability to judge between right and wrong
- the fear of the Lord--a worshipful awe of God
I have learned that just reading scripture isn't going to help me find wisdom. I have to act on it and gain that experiential knowledge by reading and accepting His word; being obedient by living His commandments; and continuing to search for wisdom like it's a "hidden treasure" (2:4).
I know when I "do not rely on my own understanding," I will find peace and happiness, my worries will not seem so burdensome, and "He will make my path straight" (3:5-6)." But this is not always easy for me to do. I oftentimes act on impulse; I don't think things through before I do something.
This is not wisdom.
Sometimes I think I have the right answer because "I know things."
This is not wisdom.
Chapter 8 taught me that everywhere I look, wisdom is calling out. But what keeps me from not seeing it or keeps me in the I don't know?" Am I taking the time to search for wisdom or to notice it. Sometimes, it's easier to just say, "I don't know."
It seems like I am always in a hurry. Maybe not so much in the summer, but certainly during the school year. I need to slow down, embrace times of quietness, and discern if my actions are based on wisdom. Again, this is not always easy for me to do.
These first ten chapters have certainly given me something to think about, and I am looking forward to becoming wiser.
As I work through the remaining chapters of the book of Proverbs, I will continue to pray these words:
"Lord, help me to slow down in my search for wisdom and
come to understand the treasure that she is, so that I can
come to know You better."
I'm glad you are taking the time to post this month. I agree that we need a balance in our lives of study, prayer, and action. Experience often brings wisdom, but sometimes just more uncertainty. I am trying to find comfort in the "I don't knows" of my life.
ReplyDeleteThis is Patricia…I love that you have immersed yourself in a search for Wisdom as a way to know Love/God. “I don’t know” becomes both inspiration and humility.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, I love the wisdom that comes from walking the path, not just head knowledge. You are wise to recognize that "I know things" isn't wisdom. This is a wise prayer indeed: "Lord, help me to slow down in my search for wisdom and come to understand the treasure that she is, so that I can come to know You better."
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, slowing down seems harder and harder to do in this fast-paced world. I think that we are programmed to be a society that looks for answers. In a way that is good. Look at all of the advancements we have made. Yet, not knowing and accepting that we don't know does bring about a certain kind of peace. What we don't know, someone else might. Bob
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, what a wonderful reflection on your study of Proverbs. Summer provides a wonderful time for a deep dive. I like the learning you shared with us. Experience is an important part of wisdom, but not always the easiest way to learn something, is it? Love your prayer at the end of this post.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, your journey through Proverbs is an amazing one. What means the most to me is that your sharing what you learned. I find this thought a purposeful one: to search for wisdom like it's a hidden treasure." Your spiritual journey is proving to be a meaningful one. Your closing prayer is one that I shall think about before I go to sleep shortly. I have journeyed toward discernment in my life but I think I forgot that wisdom ("knowledge or an ability to make the right choices") is a pathway to let me know how to bring it into my life.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne: This is a beautiful and timely message for me. Our minister is preaching on What is In the Bible, What is Not. He caught me on a verse from Proverbs. I like your slow meditation, a good reminder. Thank you for this helpful post.
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