Wisdom

I was recently asked to be the adult Sunday School teacher at church.

The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament is part of the reading for this next week's lesson.

Proverbs was written by Solomon, notably one of the most wise people in the history of man.

So, in preparation for my lesson, I've been thinking about wisdom, what it is and how to get more of it.

Because it seems like a great thing to have. 🤷‍♀️

A definition I've heard in the past is that knowledge is knowing things, but wisdom is the wise application of that knowledge.

So now I want to apply this knowledge. . . 😂

Most of us really like to be right — I know I do.

And that desire to see ourselves as right can often blind us to better information and other people's points of view.

So, in my mind, I see that real wisdom will be quick to ask,

'Where could I be wrong about this?'

Or, 'Where am I wrong?'

This willingness to look for where there are gaps in our logic and our understanding will open us up to wisdom.

We will see what we didn't see before.

We will understand things we haven't before.

The past few years have given us a lot of opportunities to ask ourselves these kinds of questions.

Racism, COVID, vaccinations, political candidates and views — so many big ideas.

And what about our relationships with spouses or boyfriends/girlfriends, with our children and siblings, or with people at church or work?

We can often be pretty myopic in our opinions.

When we are willing to look for, and see, where we might be wrong, we come to understand ourselves more.

Think of a situation where you have had disagreement with someone, and ask yourself, 'Where could I have been wrong?'

If you can't think of anything, ask the person you disagreed with and they will tell you.

And then, actually consider that you could have been wrong.

What information do they have to share?

How could you open yourself up to understanding something from a different point of view?

All of this doesn't mean you have to change your mind.

But what it does offer you is the opportunity to see something from a different vantage point.

And that creates greater wisdom.

This is when we grow into a better version of ourselves.

Want to learn more?