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“Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” –– James 3:13-18
Gentleness born of wisdom –– Well, that’s the hope, that’s the desire and goal, but am I only kidding myself to imagine that I could ever achieve that standard? Who wouldn’t covet the privilege of that as an epitaph? He had such a gentle spirit that made you feel at ease in his presence; She could always keep the larger picture in view; Pettiness was anathema to them; Even when afraid, it was rare for her to panic; He could give direction without patronizing you –– Gentleness born of wisdom. There’s a character in a James Taylor song who conveys this type of spirit –– “Something in the way she moves … that seems to leave this troubled world behind; If I'm feeling down and blue, or troubled by some foolish game, she always seems to make me change my mind. Oh, to offer that sort of presence to others.
Who wouldn’t want to embody James’ counsel whether we’re talking about James of the Bible or James of the Taylor family. Gentleness born of wisdom –– No matter how much I wish to convey that essence, I’m afraid that JT, having observed the unvarnished me, would be more inclined to compose –– Something in the way he moves, looks my way, or calls my name; makes me duck into the store across the street.
Is gentleness born of wisdom beyond the reach of my anxiety constrained spirit? Yes, no doubt about it. Left to my own resources, I am persistently vulnerable to bitter envy, selfish ambition, the boastful claims that spring from insecurity, and the duplicity that shades the truth with falsehood in the pursuit of self-interest or the evasion of responsibility.
Wisdom requires more than wanting it, and it seldom comes to those who assume they possess it. Ironically, wisdom begins when we acknowledge we don’t have it and cease pretending that we do. In other words wisdom takes root in self-acknowledged arid spirits looking to heaven for the gentle rain of wisdom that comes from above.
Upon assuming the role of king, Solomon had a dream in which the Lord appeared to him and asked what the Lord should give Solomon. Solomon was quick to acknowledge that he was in way over head –– I do not know how to go out or come in (not a bad confession to make each time we pray!). Thus, Solomon prays, “Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”
In response, the Lord tells Solomon, “Because you … have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind.”
We read in Proverbs –– When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. It becomes clear in Scripture that an essential prerequisite for wisdom is humility. We cannot manufacture wisdom. Rather, we gain wisdom as the Spirit of God grants us the lens through which to interpret the world around us.
For the Christians of Colossae, Paul prayed, “that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” So, may it be for us as we acknowledge our lack, knowing that wisdom comes from above.
Lord, I do not know how to go out or come in. So, grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days.
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