But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Oh God, I want to be wise. I see the manna from heaven that kept your people fed in the wilderness so many years ago, and I am tired of starving in the wilderness of my own folly. I beg you, give me the wisdom from heaven, Father. You said through your servant James, the brother of the Lord, that the good life is when we act and love and serve like Jesus, in the utmost humility. That is a far cry from what I am told “the good life” is by these talking heads dressed up as preachers and those corporate suits repackaging the same lie in a different context… the lie that my comfort is of most vital importance. They define it in a thousand different ways, but it’s always the same substance (or lack thereof). It’s always about ME. MY wants. MY desires. MY prosperity. MY comfort.
How long, oh Lord, will I be strong enough to resist those temptations of self-gratification, of power and authority, of arrogant narcissism? Where does that My-Mentality come from? It’s just so hard, you see Lord, because I’ve got to keep up with the Joneses next door, and I’ve got this big promotion coming up, and…and, well…well, I guess I’m a little envious of the people around me, and I really want this new job – I’m just ambitious by nature, you see God? You see, right? …Wait, what do you mean, “demonic”? That seems a bit harsh, Lord. “Disorder and…evil”? Me?
What am I supposed to do, God? I don’t want to have envy and selfish ambition, especially if it means I am sowing discord and conflict in my life. So where is your wisdom, the wisdom from your heavenly throne? It feels so far above me, so high that I do not think I shall ever attain it or even know what it looks like! Your prophets and poets spoke so often of Lady Wisdom in all her beauty, but where do I find her? How do I romance her whom I have never known and that which is so seldom displayed by those around me?
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
