From 'Wanting it all' Comes Wisdom

By Elizabeth Clark

Have you ever secretly wished you "had it all?" I must confess, I have had  that secret desire. I wished that especially in those times of my greatest  need.

Shortly after my divorce to my first husband, I found myself in my hour of  greatest need. Here I was with three college-bound teens, and not enough  money to go around. I found myself working one 40-hour a week job, and 2 part  time 20-hour a week jobs just to make ends meet. It crossed my mind many  times over those three long years of working so many hours of wishing I "had  it all." :-)

Oddly enough, it was in those years I was taught my greatest lessons about  God and about myself. I wanted a closer relationship with God and I wanted  wisdom. I NEEDED wisdom, for surely I was quickly discovering that I didn't  have very many wise solutions to my hard problems. I begged God to impart His  wisdom to me.

I thought I'd get some sort of spiritual ZAP! You know, that science fiction  kind of experience: one minute I would be groping about for answers to tough  questions and then -- ZAP -- I'd have this surreal experience and be filled  to overflowing with the wisdom of Solomon. Well...it didn't happen like that  at all...much to my dismay.

No, God was mindful of my needs, and He was listening to my pleas, but what I  heard from Him was something unexpected: "Daughter, if you seek My wisdom,  stay in My Word." Rats! I had to do something myself!!!

Now Scripture does tell us that God is very willing to impart wisdom into us  for the asking. James 1:5 says: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask  God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given  to him." Now verse 6 goes on to say that we must believe and not doubt. If  so, we are then like a wave of the sea, being tossed about by the wind.  Having faith sometimes is a struggle, isn't it?

So as I started to dig into God's Word concerning this subject "wisdom," I  began to understand that God wants me to ask for His wisdom, but He also has  provided this wonderful book called the Bible by which I might learn of God's  ways. The more I study God's Word the more I will know His heart and His  mind, and what He expects of me as I live my life. The more I learned about  God's ways and how I was to conduct myself, the wiser I became when making  important decisions.

I do understand that God can impart wisdom in times of immediate need. You  know, when you are dealing with a real serious issue concerning your child.  You are faced with a very important moment and need some super-human insight  to offer to your son or daughter. How many times have you quickly and  silently cried to the LORD: "Help me, Father, I don't know the answer for  this tough question!" All of a sudden, something profound comes out of your  mouth, and your child understands what you've said (uh, that alone is a  miracle *hee-hee*). That is instant, supernatural wisdom I think God provides  us as parents. Oh, how I have thanked Him for that many times :-)

Do you love reading Proverbs? I do. I heard once that Marilyn Hickey of  Christian TV, has memorized every word of Proverbs. Well, I cannot say I've  done that, but I love reading them daily. They are packed full of wisdom.

Take a moment today to read Proverbs 8. You'll be amazed at what you read.  Verses 10-11 say this: "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge  rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing  you desire can compare with her."

The key words that jumped out at me the first time I REALLY read this were  "nothing you desire can compare..." WOW!! You mean nothing the world has to  offer me, or anything my wildest imagination can conjure up can compare with  God's wisdom? How about that!!

As you read along in chapter 8, you will read all the wonderful benefits one  can glean by seeking wisdom above all else. When we make wisdom our highest  goal we will see God move in other areas as well. We are told we shall have:  knowledge, discretion, counsel, sound judgment, riches, honor, wealth,  prosperity and understanding!

As I caught a glimpse of God's loving desire to give me His best as I sought  wisdom, I began to see, very subtly, a change in my circumstances. I was  choosing wiser and more positive friends and mentors. I was seeking counsel  as to how to better manage what little money I had. I went to counseling to  unravel my confused childhood and failed past.

Slowly, as I embraced a discipline of studying God's Word and learning His  ways, I was being lifted out of my own self-dug pit, and being placed upon  higher ground. Oh, how God's mercy is mysterious and glorious to me.

So now as I watch my children and grandchildren grow, and as I pray for them  each and every day, I keep my words down to a precious few concerning them. I  pray that they make WISDOM their highest desire. I tell them that I pray  wisdom over their lives. If they seek and attain God's wisdom . . . they will  be equipped to tackle every challenge that comes their way.

I love what verses 34-35 say: "Blessed is the man [or woman] who listens to  me [wisdom], watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever  finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD."

Liz Clark and her husband, Bob, live in the beautiful mountainous area of Northern Georgia. 
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