Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
When I was a little boy, I was hunting and I was at my grandpa's place, and there was about a foot of snow. I was walking on top of the snow because it had been really cold. And then it got warm. It froze a little bit. So the top of the snow was very secure. So I'm walking and I finally get up to this creek, and I see the creek is several feet wide.
And as a young, unwise boy, I'm going to jump it. And so I back up, I start to run, and I plant my foot just before the water line, and my foot depresses into the snow. I fall flat, face down, my head hits the other side of the little creek, and I splash with water. I remember feeling the crank in my back.
I finally get up. I walk over to my grandpa's house. My mom saw me, my family saw me, and they cleaned me off. And I remember thinking that was one of the dumbest things I've ever done. I should have never even attempted it. Number two, I should have just walked around.
The World's Greatest Need
What is it in your life that you've done or what is the most unwise thing you've ever done? And you know you should have done something different? You know, as you think about this very practical illustration and our whole world, what is it the world says that it needs? I would say one of the greatest screaming needs of our world is the need for wisdom.
You know, somebody once said, “wisdom is skilled in the art of godly living.” I mean, think about this. Can you imagine if you could say, I'm skilled in my job? Or if we could say I'm skilled in my marriage or in my relationships. I'm really skilled at working with people or in communication, whatever it is - to be skilled in the art of godly living. That's a huge prize that Proverbs holds out for us.
Two Ways to Be Wise
There is a great Scripture in Proverbs chapter 1, and verse 5 that says, “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance.” You know, very simply, Proverbs shows us two ways to be wise. Number one, listen, for wisdom. It says it right there in the verse, “Let the wise listen to these proverbs,” We, you and I, we, we have to listen.
James says, be quick to listen. I have a little acronym I put on the top of a sheet of paper when I'm in a meeting sometime: QTL - quick to listen. I have another set of things, little letters I put: LLLL that I learned from my friend Pastor Jeff. It stands for listen, learn, love, lead. It's very important for you and I to listen.
But not only that, but secondly, “Let those with understanding receive guidance.” You don't have to listen to wisdom, and me too. But we have to learn it. It's one thing to listen. I mean, you and I, we're not in a shortage for information. There's plenty of things that we can listen to. But the important thing is, are we learning it? Are we receiving guidance for our life?
Who Are You Listening To?
Let me just very quickly ask you, who is it that you listen to? I encourage you to listen to God's Word. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7 says, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Secondly, who are the friends that you have? What are they giving you in terms of wisdom? Because if you want to have understanding and receive guidance, it will come from wise friends.
May I encourage you to be a person who seeks wisdom, which the Bible actually says that Jesus Christ is the ultimate in wisdom. Let's learn from Him in His Word.
