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Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. (NLT)
"It is wise for your to wait." Those were the words of a mentor helping me through a tough decision. The problem was that I was unemployed, my options were few, and time was running out. "Wait?" I thought. "Easy for you to say."
I was right. It was easy for him to say because he had done it. Years. He had waited years for what he believed was God's true calling on his life. When the opportunity presented itself, he didn't hesitate. But he knew that it had to be God's timing, not his. What was God's timing?
The rest of the story is because he was in God's will, which he waited for; he was able to offer me the opportunity to serve in the pastorate I enjoy today. I have often wondered if I would be where I am today if he wasn't in God's will?
Wisdom knew what it was doing.
If you want to be wise, you need to be a learner. Being a student who seeks to know more about God and His character is a real and personal way. No, I am not advocating that you go to Bible College. But I am saying that you need to give God something to work with if you make wise decisions.
So here's my formula for wisdom.
- Decide what area of my life I need to have more wisdom in.
- Once I do that, how do I gain more knowledge about this?
- Who do I know that is already wise in this area? Ask for their help.
- Study every day. How much depends on how desperate you are. (You'll figure that out later.)
- Pray and ask God for wisdom from the very beginning.
- Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and start making wise decisions over just any decision.
Pray: Dear Jesus, I need wisdom in (insert area or areas in which you need wisdom). Direct my life to learn, open my heart to listen to your will, and teach me to do your will in these areas every day. In Jesus' name, I pray. AMEN.
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