Central Truth

As we live our lives as believers we are faced with the task of discerning what is wise according to God’s standard of wisdom, not the world’s standard, which may actually be foolishness. 

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Reflections

After 60+ years I can think I'm wise, and that can become pride and keep me from realizing I need to seek God's wisdom. Sometimes my fear or lack of trust can get in the way of seeking God's wisdom rather than my own. Sometimes the difference between wisdom and foolishness can be subtle. Or it can be that one decision is wiser than another.

When our son, Paul, entered prison he was threatened by a gang member: “I can protect you or you can try to survive on your own in here.’” Paul, young and not street wise, knew nothing about protecting himself so he chose to “pay” for protection. As a frightened mother I asked everyone I knew to pray for Paul's protection from this man and his gang.

As we visited Paul and wrote to other inmates we heard stories of men being attacked and beaten for not “respecting” someone, not wanting to join a gang, or not doing what other inmates demanded. Violence was real, and as a mom I had little influence over what went on behind those prison walls.

Paul eventually reported what was happening to the authorities and was put in protective custody. After an investigation he was denied a transfer to another unit and put right back on the same block with the inmate who threatened and extorted him.

Praying for protection seemed like a wise prayer. Following the prison rules and reporting extortion seemed wise. But I believe God challenged me to see that there was something else he wanted all of us to pray for: to pray for this gang member to give his life to Jesus, leave his gang, and be an example to other inmates of the love and grace of Jesus! My fear and trust in my own maturity kept me from seeing this at first.

I believe God’s plan was much bigger – wiser – than mine of just praying for protection. A wiser decision on my part would have been to ask God for what He wanted me to pray for from the beginning. 

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Discussion Questions

Note: We eventually started praying for this gang member to come to know Jesus and he did, he left his gang, and he now tells anyone who will listen about Jesus - even officers! He and our son are good friends.

1. Would you like to know more about God's wisdom?  Go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and type wisdom in the Search the Bible box. You can pick from numerous versions of the Bible. Just reading all those verses is a great reminder and encouragement! 

2. How do you decide what is wise and what is foolish? Who or what helps you decide?

3. What areas of your life might need some clarification as to what would be God's wisdom in dealing with them and what would be worldly foolishness? Or on the subtle side: Maybe your choice isn't exactly foolishness, but is there a wiser choice that requires more trust in Jesus?

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