The beginning of wisdom
One of the favorite things about my job is the opportunities I have to help people. I enjoy getting calls from people either asking for prayer requests or advice. Recently, one particular caller was a mom who was asking for help. She and her husband were wrestling with a decision about whether they should or should not send their kids to Europe for athletic development.
Her kids, ages 9 and 12, had tried out at a soccer clinic in Seattle and were selected to travel to Europe for continued development. The family received an invitation to participate in a select group for training with the best coaches. One of the kids was also invited to join a European academy for training.
The problem was this wasn’t sponsored training, so the family had two weeks to respond and come up with a deposit to hold their spot. All of this was a great honor, and, of course, the family was excited, but they also felt pressed as they couldn’t afford the cost of the deposit, let alone the whole training. They didn’t want to miss out on the chance of a lifetime opportunity for their kids, but they also knew the cost to the family would be potentially damaging. They called asking for help in making a wise decision.
At this same time, I was preparing to teach our Sunday School kids about wisdom. I wish we all had people like King Solomon who would help us sort out our thoughts and help us decide. I certainly am not alone in that wish. Do you recall a time when you had a decision to make that required you to seek the advice of others or ask God for wisdom?
In 1 Kings 3:5, "…the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." Solomon requested wisdom. This response pleased the Lord, and He promised not only to give him wisdom but also promised to give him riches and honor. In other words, seeking wisdom first is the key to a life lived well.
In the same way that the Lord gave Solomon wisdom to help the Israelites and those nations around them, I know he is available to give wisdom to us. But how do we begin to do so? This wisdom comes by first seeking the Lord and asking for his priorities and guidance. Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." But second, wisdom also comes from seeking the help and advice of others. Solomon wrote three times (in Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; and 24:6) that “in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” We need to seek God for wisdom but also ask others.
With this in mind, I connected with those I knew around me who either had knowledge or experience in this field and then I reached out to the family. After sharing with them what I learned and my perspective, I encouraged them to seek God about it and then trusted them to try and discern what was best. At the end of our conversation, the husband said, "I feel so much peace after hearing all these great points to consider, for in the multitude of advice, there is wisdom! Before our sons become soccer athletes, we want to invest and instruct them to believe in God firmly. As we do that, we will continue to support their soccer goals locally, so they grow and develop and trust that God has a plan for them!”
I was happy to hear his response. For me, it was important to know the family was at peace with their decision. I believe God's wisdom and insight are manifested through peace of mind in our decision-making. I was proud of them for being vulnerable and open to the advice of others.
It made me think of the many people who go through life without seeking advice before making life decisions and the results that come from that. We all need the wisdom and council of others in our lives to determine God's best will for us. Only by seeking God and His insight, often through the help of others, will we make the decision that best honors Him.
A relationship with Jesus opens our access to God so we can go to Him anytime we need God's wisdom. He listens, He cares, and He is ready to offer his love and wisdom when we are vulnerable and ask for His help. As Hebrews 4:16 states, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” A relationship with Jesus surrounds us with many people God can speak through. We often find God's wisdom in seeking it with others.
The next time you have a big decision, my prayer is that you would be vulnerable and share with those you trust. Ask for advice from those around you. Then ask God for wisdom and guidance to help you make the best decision possible. He will guide you if you put Him first.
Blessings,
Grimelda Sanchez
Associate Pastor