Considering Wisdom

When I consider the topic of Wisdom, before turning my attention to the various definitions that my understanding and experience render, I am directed to….

Proverbs 8 – “⁶ Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.  ¹² I wisdom dwell with prudence, ¹⁴ Counsel is mine, I am understanding; I have strength.  ¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.²² The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.  ²³ I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.  ²⁴ When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.  ²⁵ Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:  ²⁶ While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  ²⁷ When He prepared the heavens, I was there: when He set a compass upon the face of the depth:  ²⁸ When He established the clouds above: when He strengthened the fountains of the deep:  ²⁹ When He gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass His commandment: when He appointed the foundations of the earth:  ³⁰ Then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him;”.

Based on my interpretation of this scripture, as wisdom has received its nature from the Spirit given by God, while having its purpose made manifest in and for the experience and understanding of humanity, I would say that Wisdom is a Spiritual Substance that bends to the Will and Majesty of the Creator and Honors and Promotes the Works of His Hand.  (Substance being defined as: that which is solid and practical in character, quality or importance). 

As I have matured, I have come to value Wisdom as a Divine Resource to assist and improve the quality of my existence individually and within the community of creation.  Purposefully, I do not limit this to the human experience because God has allowed me to engage other sources, both tangible and intangible, ideas, ideals and inventions to benefit me as I make my journey through life.  This I embrace as the wisdom of “use and don’t abuse, and open your eyes that you may see”. 

As I further explore the topic of wisdom, I realize that wisdom can be shared, but cannot be given, it is not stagnant but remains consistent, and that it is expansive, yet remains within the confines of its intent.  Consequently, because of its paradoxical nature, I would assert that wisdom is not a companion of the lazy.  It requires diligence and determination and neither is it a one-time acquisition.

 

³⁴ Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

 

Having been raised as a Child of God and Spiritual Pilgrim, the attainment of knowledge and wisdom has been very much a part of my education.  Have I always strived for it? No!  Have I always understood the value and purpose of wisdom? No!  Have I always believed that it was an essential component for successful living? No!  Nor did I always think of wisdom as wisdom.  But what I have learned despite and in spite of my lack of intellectual conception is that wisdom does not bow down or submit to ignorance, and neither does it shrink in the presence of unwilling minds, hearts and spirits.  Wisdom remains true being its ordained nature and designed purpose.  The lessons that it teaches may be bitter or sweet:

⁹ They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.  ⁵ O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Also, there was a time when I mistakenly thought that because I had obtained some wisdom that I had truly become wise.  What I came to know is that the possession of wisdom is having the ability to understand the implication of choices (information), but being wise or utilizing that wisdom is deciding to choose rightly in accordance with those implications.  Consequently, I am still very much a student of wisdom.  I seek it because I have enough sense to know that this will lead to a more progressive and prosperous existence. 

⁸ Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

I seek it because I want joy, harmony, peace, love, and prosperity to be the companions of my pilgrimage.  And I also want to be able to negotiate those times when discord, sadness, disappointment and chaos present themselves, as part of the human condition.   Ultimately, I know that God wants the best for me and with the spark of Divinity He placed in me I know He brought me here for purpose which can never be realized in ignorance. 

Finally, what I also love and appreciate about wisdom is that it doesn’t matter what you call it because it is not vain.  Sometimes it may be called “Light”, “Truth”, “Inspiration”, “The Path”, “Divine Guidance”, “Tidbits”, “Nuggets of Knowledge”, “Higher Learning”, “Enlightenment” etc, etc, etc.  But all it ever wants is for me and from me is to pursue it, embrace it, court it, honor it, and love it.   

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

 

Jewell M. Simmons is the creator and founder of the Sistah Series.  The purpose of the SISTAH SERIES is to provide an opportunity and a venue for women/girls/females to speak of themselves and others in a SISTAH-LY manner that is positive, encouraging and uplifting. Visit her website by clicking here.