31 Days Of Strength In Scripture: Perspective

Sometimes it's as simple as making the effort to get up and move to the other side of the bus.

Other times it's not that simple, but we always have a reason to find hope in the life we've been given.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” - John 7:38

31 Days Of Strength In Scripture: Changing How I Seek Wisdom

Ever since I discovered it, I've always loved this verse:

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” - Jeremiah 33:3

I loved it because I thought it meant that whatever knowledge I desired would be given to me as long as I asked. If I simply approached God in faith for the answers, any mysteries of the universe that I wondered about would be revealed to me. This appealed to my thirst for knowledge and my desperate desire to understand the world around me, to make sense of everything in the Bible and how it related to life on earth so I could wrap it all up in a neat little package.

I now realize that there is so much more to it than that. First, how could I expect to ever have the infinite wisdom of Someone whose thoughts are not my thoughts and whose ways are higher than mine? And, of course, there is more to the context of this verse, but most importantly, what is my attitude toward seeking truth? What is my approach, and am I understanding what it truly means to call upon Him?

Until we reach a point of absolute humility, when we recognize that He alone is our source of wisdom, when we see that we are ignorant in our human limitations and we are incapable of teaching ourselves anything about divine wisdom, only then will we sincerely and humbly call to Him in pursuit of truth. I could memorize the Bible front to back, but if having that knowledge is what I think makes me wise, then I really don't have a clue. If I never experience Him in a real and meaningful way in my life, then there is no wisdom to be found – because I have to seek Him, not just what He can give me.

Life is not only about learning, but also about unlearning. We have to figure out how to get ourselves out of the way in a world that is constantly telling us to be self-centered. I want wisdom because I want to be wise, but I should want it because of Who offers it to me. We can know absolutely nothing apart from God's grace, and it takes great humility to understand and believe that.

Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 9:23-24

If anything we are learning does not open our eyes to our need for Him and our complete dependence upon Him, then we should question our approach in the pursuit of wisdom.

31 Days Of Strength In Scripture: The Plan Of Wisdom

Most mornings I have a vague plan of what I'm going to do for the day. The plan may include any errands to be run or bills to be paid, in addition to any housework that needs to get done and activities with the kids. Generally, my plan does not unfold in the manner that it should because my kids often have somewhat different plans. If they were to write down their schedule for the day, it would look something like this:

- Wake up entirely too early for the too-late bedtime the night before.

- Request food before the 'not-morning-person' parental unit has acquired coffee.

- Be completely unable to locate one single pair of matching shoes and/or socks due to them never being put where they belong after taking them off.

- Insist on wearing seasonally inappropriate clothing.

- Fight. A lot.

- Make mess. Clean mess. Make mess. Clean mess. Make mess. (Continue until Mom gives up on mess control.)

It could be really easy for me to get frustrated. In fact, I get frustrated every day. But do you know what else is on their to-do list? 'Say and do such adorable things that Mom forgets she was ever annoyed.' Like when they tickle each other or play sweet make-believe games or laugh (and laugh and laugh). And the conversations they have...oh my...I wish I could carry a tape recorder everywhere we go.

No matter what happens on any given day, it is my duty to remember my purpose as I'm raising these little ones, which is to help them learn and grow, and just like many other parents out there who take their roles seriously, I can be quite critical of myself. But just when I start to get discouraged, they show me in so many ways how they are listening...they are learning.

I don't know of a greater desire of a parent than to impart wisdom to his child. What I want for my children is simple, but it's not so simple to give. It's a lifetime of instruction, and I'm still in training.

Proverbs 4:20-23 - “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”

Proverbs 23:15-16 - “My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad; And my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak what is right.”

I relate to those words more than ever when I go into their room at night as they sleep and touch their little arms and watch the rise and fall of their chests. One day the time I have to get to do that will be gone, but until then, I promise to make it my mission to give them life every day, as much as I can.