HUMANITY'S WISDOM DEFICIT

In the media there is much talk about national and global financial deficits.  Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain all have one.  Here in the USA we have a whopping one the burden of which will be with us for a long time.  But the greater problem in not merely financial, which begs the question, “What could be more threatening?”  To that I would ask, “Does humanity suffer from a wisdom deficit?” Each day the news of the world is mind-boggling.  What a mess. Financial deficits are just one symptom of bigger, scarier things.  Like Diogenes walking around in the light of day with a lantern “looking for an honest man,” we find ourselves walking around looking for wise persons.  Where are obvious examples of wise discernment in local, national, and global leadership?  Where can we see practical wisdom?  Of course Diogenes was a cynic.  Cynicism aside, there are persons of practical of wisdom, but they are few and often not as apparent as their absence when so sorely needed. 

We see this at home from the US Congress and Executive Branch to life at the municipal and local level. There seems to be a shortage of wisdom in the world today, a deficit of the kind of wisdom that comes from exposures to good thinking and reflection in the context of learning from our mistakes.  At the same time, there is great wisdom to be found in obvious places, like the Scriptures, Old and New, the Psalms, Proverbs, and the sad story of God’s continuing grace in the face of Israel’s continual saga of hard-hearted disobedience and sin.

The Apostle Paul’s life was not easy.  He endured hostile rejection, persecution, physical violence, and a long litany of resistance to his ministry.  In the face of overwhelming adversity, by God’s grace he maintained a remarkably upbeat spirit. His spirit is seen in the words of wisdom that come from his life in the Spirit, through Scripture, prayer, listening to God, and reflection.  We see this early on in his letter to the Thessalonians written around 51 AD.  He writes a follow-up letter of encouragement to them from Corinth (selected verses of 1 Thessalonians 5:11-24):

“Encourage one another and build each other up. . . respect those who work hard among you . . . live in peace with each other . . . warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone . . . always be kind to each other and to everyone else.  Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not put out the Spirit’s fire . . .Test everything.  Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, should and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful. He will do it.”

Paul’s affirmation and encouragement is but one of so many passages in Scripture that speak wisdom into our hearts and lives.  So why is there seemingly such a shortage of wisdom in the world today, even among so many Christians.  Here’s part of the answer. We are too busy being attracted and distracted by other things.  There’s no time to read wisdom literature and ponder its value.  We are so distracted we lack the time and commitment to read, ponder, discuss, and apply the treasure trove of wisdom right at our finger tips. Perhaps we just don’t love ourselves and our Lord enough to take the time to listen (See Jeremiah 13:11), and too isolated from others by technology to hold each other accountable for our mistakes.   

I am speaking here about myself as well.  I confess my own failure when I say that Facebook, Twitter, high definition television, entertainment, sports programming,  and more have captured our hearts and shaped our habits.  They are quite amazing in what they offer, but face it.  We lack the windfall  of wisdom God provides because we are so attracted and distracted pursing other priorities.  You might say we are captured by subtle, but otherwise real idolatries which are increasingly available and distracting.

The one thing I can say in response to this shortfall in my own life:  Thank you God for the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.  Conviction is a good thing that moves me to repentance, to an about-face from my old dysfunctional habits.  In repentance I turn my heart and attention toward you, O God, the source of all wisdom.  I know that in pondering and responding to the wisdom of your Word, you sanctify me, as the Apostle Paul says, “through and through.”

Thanks be to God!

KEEPING TRACK OF OUR VIRTUES

In a matter of weeks comes a season of college and university graduations followed by weddings, resumes, and job hunting.  On all fronts millions of graduates will be profiling, putting one’s best face forward for others to see, and casting light on personal virtues of value one might bring to the marketplace.  

It strikes me that there are two kinds of virtues.  They are not the same list of desirable attributes.  On job applications and letters of recommendation we will find such qualities as strategic thinking, multi-tasking, digital savvy and prowess, prior job experience, interpersonal skills, management expertise, task efficiency, responsible follow through, and an otherwise long list of job competencies related to specific fields of employment.  The hope is that the very name and reputation of their college or university will vouch for the value the job candidate brings to the workplace.  These characteristics we might call Resume' Virtues.  They are all about competence in one’s field or profession honed and cultivated by universities that aspire to produce graduates of competence.

Resume' virtues stand in contrast to another category of virtues.  There is very little about preparation for one’s first job success or professional competence that one may hear at a funeral in the reading of a eulogy.  These characteristics we might call Eulogy Virtues.   Such virtues speak to the goodness of a person, one’s character and heart for others, faithfulness, and kindness, even purity of spirit.  In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10) the Beatitudes of Jesus give us a list of Eulogy virtues: poor in spirit, meekness (humility), righteousness, mercifulness, purity of heart, peacemaking, willingness to be persecuted because of righteousness.  The Apostle Paul gives us another listing in his letter to the Galatians (5:22&23), the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  What we so often hear in eulogies is what one did for others, stories of the abandonment of self-interest, sacrifice, sensitivities to others’ needs, positive actions taken in situations of compelling moral and ethical dilemmas, generosity of spirit and substance, and self-denial.

Eulogy virtues are not the stock and trade of most universities.  However, I’ve noticed that more and more employers are looking for eulogy virtues in graduates they hire and promote.  Their business success depends on attributes that go beyond competence.  They recognize that criminals can be competent, but lack integrity, honesty, and a sensitivity to the needs and interests of others.  In reality employers are looking for both types of virtue.  Even more, they hope for the rare combination of competence and character that transcends either one.  They are looking for wisdom beyond intellect, a wisdom of the head and heart. They seek a combination of humility, perceptive emotional intelligence, and a person's potential for growing in wisdom.  Wisdom is a rare gem of inestimable value at any age.

Finally, beyond graduation is yet another season now on our door step.  It’s the seemingly never ending campaign and national election of another US president to job #1.  Pray for candidates with more than an impressive resume' or (eventually) lovely eulogy.  Pray for both.  Pray for the wisdom in candidates that brings the virtues of the resume' and the eulogy together.  Pray then for the discernment of the public to elect a leader with wisdom whose competence and character we can trust.  And pray for families, faith communities, colleges and universities that can develop wise world leaders for the long run.

THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S PATIENCE

How patient is God?  Thoughts about God often turn to his being almighty, sovereign, merciful, kind, forgiving, but rarely do we reflect on his patience.  God’s patience is one of the seven fruit of the Spirit which God the Holy Spirit gives to those who seek a deeper life of intimacy in holiness with him.   It is an expression of the first and overarching fruit, love.  Holy love is the essence of God and he expresses the purity of his love in a profound degree of patience. Frederick Coutts calls God’s patience longsuffering and defines it as patience with a purpose.  When we read the Bible we see the long history of mankind and the cycles of unfaithfulness and sin of God’s people. We begin to appreciate God’s longsuffering patience.  Often within a generation of repentance again and again, the people of God were back to ignoring him, forgetting his goodness and grace, and up to their ears in idolatry and sin. 

God the Father sent Jesus Christ his Son to break the cycle by way of the cross, resurrection, and gift of the Holy Spirit, the three big game changing events of human history.  But is it working as God desires or does his heart break?  I confess that in my desire to grow in grace and walk with God daily, I fail.  My failure is falling short of the mark forgetting that God is present and active in my daily life.  I find myself repeating a prayer of a dear friend years ago who prayed “Dear God, forgive us for your grace too often goes unrecognized and unacknowledged.”  That’s me.  Too often I forget, get distracted, get lazy, and loose focus.  I miss noticing and acknowledging so much of God’s grace being poured into my life.  I just don’t recognize it when it is right before me and even when I see it I am slow to respond to his loving kindness, mercy, and grace with thanks and praise. 

I now know that God is patient with us for a purpose.  He is working grace into our lives to see us filled to the measure of the his fullness (Ephesians 3:19), not just for our benefit, but to grow us into a means of grace to be used by him in bringing others to faith in him.  His purpose is to fill us with his Spirit and gift us with the fruit of his Spirit.  Then we will have greater intimacy with him and be better equipped to serve him and love others.

Forgive me Lord.  You are so patient, even longsuffering with me.  For too many years I have given you the short end of the stick. I too often missed giving you what you deserve.  You deserve my response of thanks, praise, obedience, and adoration throughout each day.  With the help of your Holy Spirit and the fullness of your presence in me, I pray that you will grow my heart to love you more dearly and follow you more nearly.  Thank you God for your amazing, remarkable patience with me.  Help me to be patient with others as you are with me.  Amen!

ANTICIPATING FRUIT

Summer time is a delight for many reasons.  Number one for me are the fruit and vegetables of summer.  Aaahh!  Watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupes, kiwis, and all kinds of tomatoes.  Then there’s summer squash, zucchini, and corn on the cob.  If it’s homegrown in the garden it is even better. These make me more than just happy.  They deepen my joy. 

This summer here in Kentucky, we are putting in a garden.  It’s a modest start with tomatoes, green onions, peppers, eggplant, and herbs. The soil is black and rich with compost and manure.  Next year we will "branch" out with other things.  The wire fence will protect the enterprise from the local four legged rascals looking for a free meal.  While we’ve done some gardening in the past with a few flowers, we haven’t had a real garden for many years.  We are a little excited anticipating the joy to come in a few weeks when the garden shows signs of being productive.

Our excitement and joy must pale in comparison to God’s when he sees us doing those things that naturally lead to our spiritual fruitfulness.  He said to his disciples (John 15:5), if you remain in me and I remain in you, you will bear much fruit.”  When he sees our obedience and faithfulness to remain in him, to abide in the rich soil of his love, to continue our daily walk with him, to seek his presence and in-filling, he must be a little excited anticipating the joy to come knowing there is fruit in our future.  As we anticipate the strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, and tomatoes of summer, God anticipates the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22&23).  These are the very characteristics that describe our Lord himself.  What are the indicators of holiness and the likeness of Christ!  It’s the fruit in the hands of the Gardener!  Thanks be to God!