Bishop's letters: May 06 +Graham

Wisdom for Everyday Life

People are looking for wisdom. It may be wisdom about bringing up children or looking after ageing parents or about facing serious illness or dealing with debt. Inwardly we are crying, ‘how shall we cope?’

We may seek wisdom about insurance or investment or even about buying cars or computers or sound systems. It can all be so stressful! So we look around for magazines like WHICH exist to meet our longing for the received wisdom about the matter in hand. “Life is difficult”, is how the American psychiatrist, Scott Peck begins his first chapter, in his well-known book, The Road Less Travelled. So it is. But he goes on to point out that solving problems is what gives life its meaning.

The Bible contains a book aimed at giving us practical wisdom for everyday life- the Book of Proverbs. First step, it says: choose wisdom and understanding; ‘how much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding than silver’. Probably, we agree, we are far happier when we understand the world and where we belong in it, than when we become rich.

The next step is to see where wisdom is found. ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’. So now we know what the Book of Proverbs really wants to say to us. To lead our lives wisely-we must begin with recognising God. If we want his help, we must pray. If we marginalise him from our lives, we will struggle. So the Book of Proverbs advises us.

In Proverbs we also find advice about how wisdom is given and received: ‘a wise man’s heart guides his mouth and his lips promote instruction’. ‘Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body’. The tone of voice and choice of words are important if we want to be heard. Someone with a wise heart is able to give instruction and it will bring health and healing to others if it is spoken with pleasant and kind words. However, our society is becoming more and more aggressive in its style. TV interviewers particularly speak aggressively and constantly interrupt those they interview. It is not a good model for a healthy society.

Finally, to receive wisdom we need humilty. ‘Pride goes before destruction’. I have been amused watching the programme ‘Supernanny’ to hear a mother say, ‘I find it very hard to let someone discipline my kids.’ How foolish! Supernanny is only there for a few weeks and the aim of her visits is to share her wisdom in raising our children.

Yet, all too easily we can be like that. We don’t want to be told how best to make our life-style choices. We don’t want to hear the Bible on the matter, or the preacher or, even God himself. How foolish of us! We are an increasingly proud generation. Wisdom for living is greatly to be prized. It comes above all with seeking God, and with a humble and teachable spirit that is ready to learn.

References: Proverbs 16 vv.16-24; 9 v.10


+Graham Dow, Bishop of Carlisle