Why the emphasis on women growing wiser? We could talk about living smarter—managing our finances better, taking better control of our time, tending our health, and using our resources more frugally. We could talk about nurturing our relationships and caring better for ourselves. We could delve into the complexity and heartbreak of being Catholic—or merely being Christian—in these days of upheaval and disagreement.
But we have many resources for cultivating those areas of life. There’s a self-help book for every aspect of every sort of improvement you might want. There are endless books, blogs, newscasts, and articles on the church and its situation.
And there are more and more books, blog posts, and articles on the second half of life. Some of them talk a good deal about wisdom. But, really, you can’t talk about wisdom too much or too often. I believe it’s the missing link in so many of our dilemmas. If Wall Street valued wisdom over profit, it would not have gambled away the pensions and savings of so many hardworking people. If our government valued wisdom over power, we would be well past debates about caring for the poor, spending our money according to priority rather than lobbyists’ influence, and strengthening the very structures of our society so that all could thrive.
No, I don’t see a lot of wisdom happening out there. And, too often, I don’t look back on my day and see a lot of wisdom there, either. I have been conditioned to act according to the simple reflexes of fear, greed, and the need for significance. I jump at opportunities, not because I have reflected on them prayerfully, but because I want to do something important and I want others to think well of me. I speak rashly and angrily of political opponents and those I perceive to be “other”—whether they are super-rich (and I’m not) or young and glamorous (which I will never be).
I desperately need wisdom. I need to learn how to open my life to it, and I need to develop good habits for incorporating it into daily life.
My guess is that you and I are not too different. What I need is probably what you need as well.
The Scriptures tell us—whether in Old Testament stories, psalm chants, ancient proverbs, or the words of prophets and apostles—that wisdom is to be sought above nearly all other gifts. Of course, what we must seek most of all—and first of all—is the Kingdom of God, the divine energy renewing and healing the whole world. But we help bring about that kingdom by thinking, speaking, and acting from a divine perspective. Wisdom helps us do that. I like to think of wisdom as the divine mindset.
So, we here at DDF will continue on this course of wisdom seeking. I trust that you will be on this journey with us, because wisdom works best when it’s shared among friends and pilgrims.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
So true, Vinita! I have been desperate for wisdom many, many times along the way. The mind of God is higher than I can reach. I can only pray that he bends down a little.
Deepening friendships is exactly what is needed and wisdom is the realization that we were made for friendship-with God for eternity. Our eternity began at our conception and so let us develop and share that wisdom with our fellow pilgrims.
I love this topic! Yes, what stood out for me: “I like to think of wisdom as the divine mindset.” – excellent!
We can only do what God is asking us to do in our corner of the world and I really appreciate this statement of yours: “But we help bring about that kingdom by thinking, speaking, and acting from a divine perspective.” This is how the Kingdom of God will be realized here on earth. Thank you.
Wisdom is something I need right now, being faced with a difficult situation at home. But I know wisdom comes with God’s grace and I pray that my choice of action will be along the divine perspective.
But wisdom is more than even knowledge. Wisdom to me is knowing what to do with the knowledge that you have Discerning what God is helping us to understand. How can i use the grace of wisdom in a way that benefits and enriches me, those around me and our planet.
Your video was beautiful..so much to think about. I always speak about how I wouldn’t want to be young again because I am so much wiser now but I have never sat myself down to meditate on it and wonder what that wisdom is. It will be my week”s journey. Thank you. I am excited to do this.
Wisdom is being wasted and not sought after. I have thought about this lately in my own life as I age. What do I want? I beg for wisdom, not beauty, youth, wrinklefree skin. I beg to set an example for our youth about aging and its true value. I do not want my life experiences to be wasted because I have not contemplated and brought them to God to be guided by Him. Young people too can share their wisdom if they take the time to contemplate Scripture, to seek for eternal worth.