It’s incredible to think that we are already halfway through January! Since moving to Florida, we have been experiencing many changes and trying to find a sense of normalcy. However, we feel like things have just begun to calm down a bit, enough to plan, make goals — and yes, write our weekly emails!
It’s as if I am running headlong into this new year, simply trying to “keep up” with the demands of life after a move. I have quickly learned that this sort of existence will wear you out if you are not careful to prioritize what is most needful. To do this effectively, I realized that I desperately needed something. I needed an ability that couldn’t be bought with money or bartered for. I needed wisdom — and lots of it. I have heard a practical definition of wisdom would be “Seeing life from God’s point of view.”
A few nights back, I was painting our hall bathroom a lovely creamy white (“Swiss Coffee” by Behr, to be exact) while listening to a sermon on wisdom. The speaker was sharing James 1:5:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
I genuinely need wisdom. I need it every day. But God’s Word is so clear that one way we can get wisdom is to ask in faith for it, and I must admit that I hate asking anyone for anything. But down deep inside, that stems from a heart of pride. It takes humility to ask God for help, for wisdom. It may sound rather obvious to say that if you ask someone for something, you typically admit that you don’t have it. That takes humility, and God says He is close to humble people. (See Isaiah 66:2.)
These past few weeks have helped me realize that I needed to slow down, humble myself, and ask God to give me the wisdom to make the right decisions in this pivotal time in our lives. But isn’t it crucial that we make wise decisions every day? The decisions you and I make today can and will affect many people for years to come. So let’s choose to ask for wisdom. God always keeps His Word.
Be encouraged.
Chad
