What Separates Us from the Wisdom of God?

Prayer-Soldier

What Separates Us from the Wisdom of God?

Scripture:

Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me: And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.
(Wisdom 7:7-11)

For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature invisible in his sight: but all things are naked and open to his eyes, to whom our speech is.
(Hebrew 4:12-13)

And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man running up and kneeling before him, asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting? And Jesus said to him, Why call you me good? None is good but one, that is God. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honor your father and mother. But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth.

And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto you: go, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Who being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looking round about, said to his disciples: How hardly shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus again answering, said to them: Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Who wondered the more, saying among themselves: Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking on them, said: With men it is impossible; but not with God: for all things are possible with God. And Peter began to say unto him: Behold, we have left all things, and have followed you. Jesus answering, said: Amen I say to you, there is no man who has left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who shall not receive a hundred times as much, now in this time; houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions: and in the world to come life everlasting.
(Mark 10:17-30)

Reflection:

Wisdom is a quality by which we may observe, evaluate, and decide what must be done to do the right thing. Knowledge provides us with the pool of information from which we make our decisions, but wisdom is what allows us to accomplish what is truly right and just. We may have the knowledge that a problem must be addressed, but without wisdom, our solutions often fail to produce the righteous and fair result.

There are many among us who desire to lead, but before we decide to follow them, we must ask to where do they endeavor to take us? Any fool can lead by picking a direction and marching toward it, but without wisdom the righteous path is unlikely to be found. Some may profess they have the knowledge by which to lead, but no one other than God has all the knowledge of what was, is, and shall be. The gaps of our knowledge often lead us to undesirable consequences. It is wisdom which enables us to see beyond such gaps so just decisions will be made from which righteous actions may follow.

If we desire to do what is right and just, then, we must seek both wisdom and knowledge, for one enables the other. If we push forth only with objectives of selfish power fueled by the anti-virtues of envy, greed, lust, intemperance, idleness, pride, and wrath; then, we open the door to evil paths with anguishing consequences. The anti-virtues blind us to wisdom. The solutions they yield only raise new injustices with an ever increasing number of innocent victims.

God calls us to turn from the anti-virtues. He calls us to the path of wisdom; the path filled with righteousness, justice, truth, charity, prudence, temperance, courage, diligence, patience, kindness, humility, and hope. Let us, then, seek to follow the wisdom of God, for without His wisdom, there is no hope in the battle against evil.

The virtues within us are gifts from God. He calls us to reflect upon them and commit ourselves to them. The evil one tempts us away. The heart of darkness knows that he does not need to compromise all of our virtues to separate us from our Creator, he needs only one by which to open a wound. Like a stretched chain, our virtues are only as strong as their weakest link. This is what Jesus saw in the young man who asked what is necessary to receive eternal salvation. The young man professed that he followed all of the commandments, but Jesus saw what the young man put before God; the worries and desires generated by the affairs of material wealth.

Some may be responsible stewards of their wealth, using it for temperate sustenance for themselves and those who depend on them along with considerations towards charity. Many fail in the use of their wealth, for they put their comforts ahead of that which is asked by God. This is but an example of how the anti-virtues blind us, for in their pursuit, we fail to see what they cause us to leave behind.

From time to time, we must take inventory of what we do and what we fail to do. We must examine what we put before our relationship with God and the commandments He calls us to follow. Anything we put above Him separates us from Him, for their should be no greater concern to our life than the relationship we have with our Creator.

We are often in denial of our failings. It may cause us great sorrow to be honest with ourselves and the truth of our failings, but the step we must take is the step away from that which separates us from our Creator so we may turn towards His embrace. When we find ourselves lacking, let us ask Him in prayer for the wisdom, courage, and strength to live by the virtues He asks of us and by which we may turn from the anti-virtues which yield so much harm.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways may we open ourselves to receive the Wisdom of God?

In what ways does the Word of God live through us?

What do we allow in our lives which we put before God?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier