Wise up

Everything we have experienced in the past will mold who we are in the future. But as we grow in maturity and wisdom, what we have learned can only be applied to the days and years that follow. It's really too bad that we can't go back and reapply this hard-won knowledge to our younger selves. While all our yesterdays have direct bearing on who we are now and who we will become, our present can in no way influence our past. This is, perhaps, what Wordsworth meant by "The child is father of the man." What a lovely irony that our youthful days are the guides and instructors for our mature days. Since our wiser self cannot perform this task for our younger self, we must rely on those who have gone before to guide us. Often we hear phrases like, "you learn from experience," "you learn from your mistakes," or "he's got to learn the hard way." But wisdom can bear a very heavy price tag if we don't listen and learn from family, teachers, and friends who have traveled the way before us. If we had to learn everything for ourselves and by ourselves, then our knowledge would of necessity be quite limited. I always felt very blessed to have an older sister to "go before me" and "test the waters" in all life experiences, from first grade to first baby. We all have an older Brother who passed this way before us, who showed us how to act and react. A record was left of his life and time among us. We would be wisest of all, if we studied and followed His perfect example.

Proverbs 4.7 - Determination to be wise is the first step toward becoming wise.

Psalm 111.10 - How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God.

2 Timothy 3.15 - Ever since you were a child you have known the holy scriptures--from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Luke 1.17 - He will soften adult's hearts to become like little children's, and will change disobedient minds to the wisdom of faith.

Job 32.7-9 - Those who are older are said to be wiser; but it is not mere age that makes men wise. Rather it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty which makes him intelligent.

Proverbs 9.9-11 - Teach a wise man and he will be the wiser; teach a good man and he will learn more. For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding. "I, Wisdom, will make the hours of your day more profitable and the years of your life more fruitful."

Ephesians 5.15 - Be very careful about the sort of lives you lead, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of the time, for the days are evil.

Matthew 7.24 - All who listen to my instructions and follow them are wise.

Matthew 12.49 - Stretching out his hand toward his disciples he said, "here are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother."

Psalm 107.43 - If you are wise, study these things and realize how God shows His love.

Colossians 3.16 - Remember what Christ taught and let his words enrich your lives and make you wiser.

1 Corinthians 1.24-25 - Christ himself is the center of God's wise plan for their salvation. For what seems to be God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.

Romans 16.27 - To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.