Wisdom

Hi and welcome back to another week on the Chrissie Murphy Designs blog. This week I’ve been reflecting on another of the words the Lord gave me to draw….. Wisdom. In 2 Chronicles, Chapter 1, we learn of how the Lord came to King Solomon to ask him what he wanted. Solomon told the Lord he sought wisdom, he wanted it more than anything else! He wanted it to lead and govern people, and he sought it above wealth, fame, riches and longevity…..

As I’ve been contemplating wisdom this last week, I’ve come to believe the Lord wants us to hunger for it, just as much as Solomon did. Why? Well, because it’s actually so much more than just sound advice. I believe wisdom is actually a way of life, so let’s explore this some more…

It seems like popularity is what people are hungry for these days

I wonder what would be asked for if the Lord came to someone in power with that same offer today. I suspect the answer would be popularity… social media is massive in today’s society, and if you have popularity, you seem to have influence and dominion in the online world. What leader doesn’t want that! So much value is placed on this, and wisdom seems to be something that’s relegated to the sidelines in favour of influence and dominion.

Perhaps it’s because we have a small view of how big and beautiful it actually is. Perhaps if we can see wisdom for how incredibly transforming it is, we might seek and desire it more.

So what does it actually look like?

The Lord actually tells us what wisdom from above looks like. In James 3:17 it says that ‘wisdom is pure’, it’s not tainted. I believe wisdom can be sought and applied in many situations, but if it’s tainted (meaning there’s an agenda behind what’s being offered) then it isn’t pure wisdom.

Proverbs 8:11 says that wisdom is far more valuable than rubies, and nothing can compare to it. It will help you see clearly, it will show you the way forward and it will highlight what you’ve missed. It will bring you revelation and lead you into seeing the truth. Nothing compares to this. Pure wisdom that’s provided when it’s really sought for, is far more valuable than any rubies or popularity.

Wisdom is peace loving and gentle at all times

It’s not something that charges in and upsets the apple cart. Wisdom loves peace and it moves in a gentle way. Last week I wrote about Resolve and how the Lord wants us to place the desire to resolve above any desire to be right. You can read about it here.

In many of the situations we face where achieving resolution is put to the test, we need wisdom. We need wisdom that moves in a gentle way and loves peace. This is what’s needed to resolve family or workplace disputes and disagreements. If we come in pure wisdom, without agenda’s, in peace and with gentleness, there is a far greater chance that many of these situations will be resolved.

Wisdom is willing to yield to others

With everything I see in today’s world, this is what I believe is lacking the most. We have become a culture that is out for ourselves, it’s our way or the highway and it sucks to be you if you get in my way! A consequence of this type of thinking is the possibility of completely losing our wisdom.

Wisdom yields to others. It knows that sometimes it’s best to bow out, you don’t seek your own way. There’s a verse in Proverbs that says “fools think their own ways right, but the wise listen to others”. When you truly understand that you don’t know it all, you will take counsel from others and think it wise. You see, I think culture believes wisdom is something that’s given by an old man or woman who’s been around a few years. But that’s a really limited view of what it actually is.

Wisdom is an action just like love your help. It is something that’s lived. You are wise through yielding to others and you are wise by being peace loving, gentle and pure.

Wisdom is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds

It will move you to act in mercy, and this produces the fruit of good deeds. Proverbs 14:33 says that “wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart, it’s not found among fools”. A person with an understanding heart can come alongside someone who is struggling and not judge, but support.

See, it’s wisdom that is enshrined in the understanding heart. An understanding heart is what’s needed by many who are struggling. They need to know the person they are sharing they’re struggles and problems with understands. It’s wisdom that causes you to move and act in these situations, because it’s full of mercy.

When we look the other way and harden our hearts in judgement against our brothers and sisters who are struggling, the Lord says we’re being foolish! Hard words to hear, but true. Wisdom moves in compassion and when it does, it produces good deeds because it’s full of mercy.

It shows no favouritism and is always sincere

You know in 1 Kings 3:10 it says that “the Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom”. Solomon was a King, a leader, a ruler over many, and the Lord was pleased that he had asked for wisdom. I wonder if part of this is because the Lord knows that wisdom shows no favouritism and is always sincere? A leader who is not swayed by playing favourites, a leader who is always sincere and understanding is a leader the world really needs.

Just as the Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom, He wants us to be seeking it also. In James 1:5 it says if you need wisdom to ask God for it, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. The Lord wants us to approach life with pure motives, loving peace, moving gently, yielding and listening to others. He wants us moving in mercy, full of compassion and the fruit of good deeds, showing no favouritism and living sincerely. What a beautiful picture!

I want more of this wisdom

I want more of this wisdom, this way of life. It’s actually my prayer often, but is it yours? I believe the Lord wants us to be hungry like Solomon was. To want it so much, that we seek it above popularity, above fame, above wealth, above riches and longevity, above all things! He knows how good it is for us.

You know it’s been said many times before, that love makes the world go round, but do you know what I believe…. I believe it’s actually wisdom that does. If you want more of this kind of wisdom in your life, then I’d love to pray for you. Leave me a comment or send me a private message and I will pray for more of it to be made evident in your life.

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Sometimes art resonates. Remember I shared about Resonate a little while ago… its when something resounds within you. If this blog post or piece of art resonates with you, leave me a comment and tell me how.

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Until next time, listen to your heart and sharpen your coloured pencils. A masterpiece awaits!

Bless you my friend

Chrissie xx