Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom!

When I think about wisdom I am reminded of my grandmother. I am reminded of her words. I am reminded of her spirit. I am reminded of her advice. I am reminded of the things that I didn’t understand then, but I came to understand, better by and by.

I am reminded of those moments when I was a child and my grandmother would utter words, give her perspective, or respond in conversations and, in my youth and foolishness, I would (or wanted to rather) respond by rolling my eyes, thinking here she goes again, disagreeing wholeheartedly, or saying to myself she doesn’t get it. But, as she would often say, “You keep lying down and waking up” or “Just keep on living”, meaning one day I would understand what she was saying, and sure enough I did. I found that the nuggets of wisdom that my grandmother gave me are the very words that are sustaining me today. They all still stand true today, and it’s those words that comfort me when I am at some of my lowest moments. 

Some of her favorite quotes were:

“Be careful how you treat people because you never know who you’re going to need to give you a glass of water.”

“ You do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.”

“There’s nothing new under the sun.”

“When you make a decision make sure it is one that will allowyou to sleep at night.”  

“Experience is your best teacher” 

So what is wisdom?

Wisdom is defined as the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. 

For me wisdom is truth. It’s that timeless truth. It’s those universal truths. It’s that truth that doesn’t get old - it was true then, it is true now, and will be true in years to come. It’s not a black thing. It’s not a white thing. It’s not a young thing. It’s not an old thing. It knows no race, color, creed, gender, or age. It is sometimes that which is unpopular and that which is difficult.Wisdom is not money. It’s not cars. It’s intangible. It can’t be learned in a classroom, but as we experience life and go through things we obtain it. As we try God for ourselves, it comes.

In order to obtain wisdom, often times, one has to go through trials and tribulations. One must go through a test. There is often no wisdom without some sort of experience, inner conflict, or inner struggle. After these things, then learning takes place. So although we often don’t enjoy going through conflict as a great man once said,” There is no transformation without conflict” (RJAC). Just like a beautiful diamond that forms only after being under great pressure, we too only become wise after life puts us under some pressure and shapes and molds us.

So, although when I think of wisdom I think of my grandmother, and many times when we think of wisdom we think of someone who is old, we know that wisdom is not about age, but it’s about truth and that which is right. Being wise is a choice and about choice – it’s about our using our experiences as guide to help us make positive decisions. It’s about doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.

So, Why wisdom? Wisdom will be the voice of reason in the midst of the storm. Silence in the midst of chaos. Peace in the midst of confusion. Positivity in negative spaces. Peace as opposed to war- whether that’s physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental. 

As spiritual beings having carnal experiences we are constantly trying to live a life that is positive and be a light to others. However, we wrestle with spiritual wickedness, which can sometimes be ourselves. Nevertheless, we must get wisdom. Wisdom will cause us to listen to the small voice within us. It will help us to allow the inner man to rule and the outer man to serve. It will allow us to have a dynamic God-consciousness, and it will allow the spark of divinity that is within each of us to shine so that we may be and continue to be a blessing.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Elizabeth Jones is a recent graduate of Northeastern University, where she earned a B.A. in sociology.