A Lenten Devotion
/A Lenten Devotion February 2016
Wisdom. Unworldly Wisdom. Wisdom from the Spirit.
Among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. I Corinthians 2:6-13
It’s not surprising that our non-Christian friends are unable to comprehend our apparently unreasonable faith in and loyalty to an unseen God. While they have some understanding of what fuels cars, powers the internet, or energizes our human faculties, they can’t be expected to understand what fuels the Christian and gives him or her the hope and joy that keeps that person steady even in the midst of the uncertainty and instability of life in this disjointed world.
The faith of a Christian is secured by an unworldly wisdom, a wisdom that is beyond that of the great intellects and talented people who inhabit this planet. It’s the “secret and hidden wisdom of God” imparted to His children by way of His Spirit. But it means that even the uneducated Christian possesses a wisdom that may be superior to that of the most renown scholars. The Christian may know little about science or history or economics or medicine but, being in touch with the Creator, is being in touch with the eternal and the infinite. While he or she may not be able to communicate with more educated people, the Christian possesses a far more profound and important experience and knowledge than anything the earthbound creatures of this world can assimilate.
We will probably not impress our more intellectual and talented peers with our comprehension of worldly activities and events. We may, however, by our attitudes and actions reflect something of God’s divine love and power to people in need and this especially in God’s wisdom & love to send “His only begotten Son into the world, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life…. …that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16-17)
(Let us pray:) Eternal and ever-loving God, while I seek to know, experience, and preserve the beauties and mysteries of this world, may my life embrace and reflect Your love and wisdom revealed through Your Son, Jesus Christ, this world’s crucified and risen Savior. Amen