Posts Tagged ‘Wisdom’

Wisdom is a gift that comes from God. Many are offered this precious gift, but few open the wrapping that contains the priceless jewel that is contained within. For much of wisdom’s nature is founded in the little used common sense that tends to evade many in their journey through life.

And with it comes intuition - ‘the immediate awareness of a concept of truth that is achieved without perception, memory, or reasoning.’ Intuition foresees disaster and creates a plan that will take a higher road. Intuition perceives the character of another from which, as a result of that intuition, an individual chooses to include that one in their inner circle or either treat them with respect while at the same time bidding them goodbye.

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I recently read the writings of a man whose creations were seen as influential pieces that impacted both the American and French revolutions. But then he decided to write a document that revolted against Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Christ himself. Even Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison commended the writings of this man, but in my opinion this intelligent man portrayed incredible elements, in his writings, of complete and utter stupidity.

But how can such intelligence be so stupid? The answer is simple. The intelligent person is entirely basing his belief system on logic. And yet when it comes to say Christianity, the whole basis is built upon faith. A logical man will struggle to understand faith every time. Faith at times defies logic, so how on earth can logic ever start to understand the miracles of Jesus?

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One author that I admire, from the 19th Century, is Thomas Carlyle.

He wrote, ‘A very small lot of books will serve to nourish a man’s mind, if he handle them well; and I have known innumerable people whose minds had gone all to ruin by reading carelessly too many books…The wisest men I have known in this world were by no means great readers - good readers, I should rather say, of a few books that were wise, having an abhorrence of all books they found to be foolish. A man gathers wisdom only from his own sincere exertions and reflections, and in this it is really not very much that other men can do for him.’

It has been many years now. But I, at one point in my life, started to read wisdom literature purposefully. I identified this subject and passionately pursued it. Whenever visiting a library I would avoid tens of thousands of books in order to find a jewel. I was a man on a mission, and once I found my jewel I studied it ferociously. I ate it. I drank it, as if it was liquid gold. There was something about these writings that fed my soul. I would read everything that that writer had written and once I discovered the books that they read, I added those to my reading list.

This led me on a reading journey, where I still to this day revisit back to those very same authors and group of authors time and time again, and treat with disdain everything else that appears in print.

Oh from time to time a modern writer appears whom I can identify with for a moment, but back I go to the ancients for a further top up.

As a result of that reading habit, I continue to pursue common themes - as if I have an internal radar operating within my brain that continues to feed that original reading purpose that has operated in my life for decades.

If you were to categorize these books you would call them ‘wisdom literature’.

And as the Bible (the greatest piece of Wisdom Literature ever written) clearly states in the book of Proverbs 4: 7 ‘Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’

It is a wise thing to avoid ‘foolish books’.

So when you choose to read - read wisely.

I heard an awesome message at church last night taken from Psalms 107. Part of it reads ‘ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep…’

There is much more that is covered in this passage, but the basis of the message was that it is only as we get out of our depth or our comfort zone that we can really start to experience some of the greatest victories in life.

I know from personal experience that it is not when the seas are calm that I learn the most. It’s actually been the times when I’ve had my back up against the wall that I have learnt my most enduring lessons in life.

A person’s character is not revealed when all is going according to plan. It is actually developed in the ‘dark room’ seasons of our lives.

So my challenge to all who read this is to launch out into the deep. Start that business that you have been talking about. Take that trip you’ve been dreaming about. Invest in that property that you have been discussing.

For it is when you take action that things happen.

Will it all be smooth sailing? Probably not. But what a wonderful journey of discovery you will have made.

People hate to be told what to do. People rather love to be invited.

We live in a world full of verbal bullies, and I think it’s high time that verbal bullies should be put in their place and liberty be given a greater opportunity to thrive.

These bullies are always ‘telling’. They are always barking orders, and they have never stopped to think about ‘asking’ or ‘inviting’.

It is really pinned around one important thing, and that is the need to develop the ability of showing respect to another human being with our words.

I tell my dog to sit. But when it comes to dealing with fellow human beings, I invite them to sit. I soften the way I speak to them by saying, ‘Would it be alright…’ or ‘How would you feel about….’ Softly, softly as you go.

When people are ‘told’ they may obey, but you will never win friends that way. Because even though they have been told to sit down and they follow your directives, they will be standing up on the inside and talking about you behind your back. And when they see you coming they will be ducking for cover, running away from you in every direction other than yours.

So if you have suddenly been made aware of your bullyish tactics, can I please invite you to stop telling your kids what to do. Stop telling your associates what to do. Stop telling your volunteers what to do. Stop telling your staff what to do. And start inviting people to enjoy the process and the results gained by following your polite and respectful directives.

It will change your life and save the lives of the multitudes from endless heartache as you touch their lives in the future.