Hubby and I were hiking up at Sunrise (the northeastern flank of Mt. Rainier).
As we were coming back down this trail here, the people who were hiking up excitedly stopped to tell us there were mountain goats just a little further down the trail, high up on the rocky slope.
Sure enough, when we reached the point they had indicated and we looked high up on the rocky slope … there they were! Mountain goats!
How exciting! I’ve never seen mountain goats in person before.
I counted about 6 or 7. This was as far as my phone camera could zoom.
As hubby and I were standing there gazing up at the mountain goats far above us, a fellow-hiker coming up the trail from below arrived breathlessly to the spot. He was carrying the largest telephoto zoom lens I have ever seen!
This fellow hiker was so hopeful he would get to the spot in time before the mountain goats moseyed out of sight. He was elated to see the mountain goats and settled himself in, zooming in for some epic photos.
Yesterday’s blog post pondered how that if we want to be blessed, we can be blessed by seeking wisdom from God. Wisdom brings great blessing to our life.
Having knowledge/information is like me and hubby standing there on the hiking trail gazing up at the mountain goats. We had knowledge/information that the mountain goats were way up there, and we could just barely see them.
Having wisdom is like the fellow hiker with the telephoto zoom lens who (via the telephoto zoom lens) was able to “get right up there” with the mountain goats. Through his telephoto zoom lens, he could see fantastic details! He could see exactly how many mountain goats there were. He could probably tell which ones were baby mountain goats vs adults. He probably could tell which ones were male vs female. etc. etc. …
When it comes to life itself, we need a “telephoto zoom lens” to help us see beyond knowledge/information … and to “zoom in” with greater insight concerning whatever situations we are facing.
Wisdom is our “telephoto zoom lens.”
God tells us: “Blessed is the person who finds wisdom, the person who gains understanding.” – Proverbs 3:13
Naturally, we each think: “I want to be blessed. How do I get this “telephoto zoom lens” of wisdom so that I can be blessed??”
#1. First and foremost – Wisdom comes from God.
“The LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
God tells us: “Get wisdom, get understanding: do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom – it will protect you; love wisdom – it will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.” – Proverbs 4:5-7
God further tells us: “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” – Proverbs 4:11-13
#2. Wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” – John 16:13
#3. Wisdom comes from God’s Word – the Bible.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man/woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“These commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.” – Proverbs 6:23
The opening verses of the book of Proverbs (in the Bible) lets us know that these instructions are: “ … for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.” – Proverbs 1:2-4
Additionally, Proverbs lets us know that – “If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, … and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” – Proverbs 2:1-5
#4. Wisdom comes from learning from wise people.
“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” – Proverbs 13:14
“Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.” – Proverbs 22:17
“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” – Proverbs 23:12
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” – Proverbs 19:20
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
#5. Wisdom comes from learning from our own mistakes.
“A rebuke impresses a person of discernment more than a hundred lases a fool.” – Proverbs 17:10
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.” – Proverbs 14:8
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1
#6. Wisdom comes from observing and learning from the mistakes of others.
“A fool’s talk brings a rod to their back, but the lips of the wise protect them.” – Proverbs 14:3
“A prudent person sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” – Proverbs 22:3
“When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom.” – Proverbs 21:11a
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” – Proverbs 27:12
“A person who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed – without remedy.” – Proverbs 29:1
“I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw.” – Proverbs 24:32
Each one of these is a “telephoto zoom lens” of wisdom for life – to help us see beyond knowledge/information … and to “zoom in” with greater insight concerning whatever situations we are facing.
If you would like to be blessed, wisdom is one of the primary ways to receive blessing in life.
