Two Kinds of Wisdom

  My family tells me I was born a 30 year old woman; that I've always been wise beyond my years.  When I was in grade school, my best friend wanted to sleep over for a third night in a row.  Most kids would jump at the idea!  I, on the other hand, told her that it would be best if didn't so that we wouldn't get sick of each other.  At the ripe age of 10 I told her that it had already happened to me before and I didn't want it to happen again.  That was the beginning of me trying to make well informed and wise decisions.

As adults we make hundreds of choices a week.  What kind of coffee am I having today?  Will I donate gifts or money this year?  Should I tell her that her eyeliner is smudged?  Choices are part of our daily routines.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:13-18 (New International Version)

As the holiday season comes to a close, I encourage you speak in love and be humble about the choices you make. Even those of us with outgoing personalities do not need to broadcast every decision we make using every media forum available.

Stoplight Prayer:  Father in Heaven, thank you for blessing me this holiday season.  Give me the opportunity to share your love and show your light through my words and daily choices.