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Thursday, August 6

The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
—Proverbs 15:2

It seems a truth that hardly needs to be repeated. We know that at times we have offered knowledge to others, while at other times we have spoken knowing nothing about the subject at all.  And who has not been wearied by the silly prating of a fool or been uplifted by words that seemed to flow from a wise person like clear fresh water in a mountain stream? What can be easily disregarded in the Proverb, however, is the method whereby we gather wisdom.

Being wise means more than simply possessing information about a particular subject. It’s allied to the words prudence and self-control.  A wise person has developed the spiritual capacity to exercise the self-control that leads to contentment.

Wisdom isn’t gathered like blueberries in summer. It grows in the person who has learned to go inward and find there the pearl that surpasses all others—the pearl of dwelling in the heart of God.  When we dwell in the heart of God, we begin to see ourselves and others through the eyes of heaven. 

The need to react strongly to what we don’t like diminishes.  The need to fulfill desires as annoyingly persistent as mosquitoes lessens. The need to have our own way, claim our own plan, initiate our own agenda is gently silenced, as we are filled more and more with the all-encompassing love of God. 

No longer bound by the niggling voices of desire, competition, and self-importance, we settle into contentment as if it were a lounge chair sitting in beach sand. From that place of pure calm, wisdom pours from our lips and anoints others in peace.

Gracious God, give me the desire to go inward and hear there the whisper of your love.