Asking for wisdom

Getting what you need to grow

One interesting, encouraging, and humbling thing to do on a daily basis is to ask God for the wisdom you need to navigate your way through life. You can ask for wisdom about your career and life direction. You can ask for wisdom about anything at all. If you are interested in a reference point for this advice, try the book of Proverbs or the book of James. And If you are sceptical about this opening suggestion, give it a try; you might be surprised what happens.

“It is a great big stupid world,” as Randy Stonehill used to sing. Not a flattering thought to be sure, but all too true nonetheless. With so many advances in human understanding many people are tempted to meditate on how smart and intelligent and brilliant and wonderful and self-sufficient we all are. But we are not. Not really. Here in Saskatchewan, there is enough uranium to keep the lights on around the world for years to come. But, knowing humanity, we are probably going to use it – some day – just to blow ourselves up. Even the best and the brightest among us is a complete fool compared to God. We need help. Sorry to be so blunt.

Here is how I operate: “God, Jesus, I have no clue what to do. I have no idea what to say. Please help me. I need your wisdom.”

If you look around long enough, you will be able to dig up all sorts of interesting stories. For strange and interesting things happen when people all around the world pray this prayer. You will read about journalists who make this their standard policy when preparing a story. You will learn about doctors who routinely do this when dealing with patients. You will discover business people who make this a basic part of their business practice. I happen to know an artist and a musician very well who routinely wakes up with original lyrics and music in her head. God is much more alive and involved in this world than many people think.

Please note, that the idea here is not to block out everybody else and just fixate and focus on God. Consider that God has already given wisdom to a lot of different people, who may not even realize it or want to acknowledge it, and you can benefit greatly from what they already have. In other words, isolating yourself from others is not a good idea even as you diligently seek wisdom directly from God.

Persistence and humility is important, though. I don’t claim to know exactly why, but they are. If you are really not that interested in getting any wisdom, you’re likely not going to get any. If you think that you are the smartest person you have ever met and could teach God a thing or two besides…might as well forget it. God opposes proud people. Always has. One day God is going to shut you down and pop your balloon. Pride comes before the fall, or in this case before the big bang. Perhaps I speak in part from experience.

So keep on asking for what you need. Realize that you are small, very small, and that you need help. It is okay to ask.