Choose [God’s] instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
(Proverbs 8:10-11 NIV)
Once-upon-a-time I attended a workshop with Bill Hybels who was then the pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area. Many years later I don’t remember most of what he talked about in the seminar, but I remember one idea that has stuck with me. Paraphrasing: “Life is too short to make the same mistakes others have already made. If you want to make a difference in this world, seek out wise counselors, learn from them, and avoid the mistakes they made.” Being a person who has continually sought wisdom and loves learning more about history, this makes a lot of sense to me. Elijah taught Elisha. Jesus taught the original disciples. Paul and Barnabas taught John Mark. As best I can, I try to learn from other people’s “mistakes” and not repeat them. I try to learn from wise teachers.
Last week I received this in my email:
“Life is full of many lessons that we all must learn. Some learn the hard way, while others allow the wisdom of the instruction and experience of others to inform their practices. We see this in history, family systems, and the people around us. We must not be so full of pride that we won’t allow the lived experience of others to teach us what not to do.
“This is not to say that any of us can avoid failure. It is a part of life. But we can learn from the wisdom of those who have gone before us. We do not have to make the same mistakes they did, and we can start from a place of humble understanding. We can see this play out in the sciences. We have a basis of working knowledge, theories, and discoveries. We build upon what has already been discovered so we can go further. Let’s do this with our spiritual lives as well.” *
Failure is a part of life, although our attitude makes a difference. Thomas Edison said, “I didn’t fail. I just found 2000 ways not to make a lightbulb; I only needed to find one way to make it work.” Learn from failure and then move on.
Learning from wise people around us – and our own mistakes – just makes sense. Today, let us be aware of the things we need to learn, but confident that God is with us in the paths we walk.
All-Wise God,
Praise and glory wisdom and thanks, honor and power, and strength be to you, forever and ever! Thank you for the immense wisdom and knowledge you have poured out on humans since our creation. Thank you that, through your Word the Bible and your ongoing revelations to your children, you continue to teach us your precepts, your ways, and your wisdom. Help us to receive and treasure your words, to understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God, and to discern justice, righteousness, integrity, and every good path. Help us to have ears attentive to wisdom, and to ask you for it, because you are generous to all who ask and will give it to us. Help us to seek wise counsel from the spiritually mature around us so that we can walk in wisdom. When we fail, help us to learn from those failures, forgive ourselves, and move on with purpose and faith that you will continue to guide our steps and refresh our souls. May our lives be a living testimony to your Wisdom, Guidance, Strength, Spirit, and Goodness, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (Revelation 7:12 NIV)
If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. (James 1:5 GW)
[God] refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3 NIV)
My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom;
Incline your heart to understanding.
For if you cry out for insight,
And raise your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice,
And He watches over the way of His godly ones.
Then you will discern righteousness, justice,
And integrity, and every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
And knowledge will be delightful to your soul… (Proverbs 2:1-10 NASB)
(*From Wisdom from Above written by Brian Simmons)