What are you searching for? Toilet paper? Hand sanitizer? Chicken? The scarcity of these staples has caused many of us to go on “wild goose chases,” driving from store to store or asking neighbors and friends where they found these elusive items. And when we find them, we rejoice and triumphantly proclaim our good fortune.
In all of this craziness, are you searching for anything else? What about wisdom? This week in ladies Bible study, we reflected on Proverbs 2:4-5: “If you seek [wisdom] as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God” (NASB).
While Solomon implores us to seek wisdom, he also writes about its accessibility. Lady Wisdom (the personification of God’s wisdom in Proverbs) “shouts in the streets” and in the town square; she calls out at the entrance of the city and on the hilltops (1:20-21; 7:2-3). In other words, Lady Wisdom is around the crowds; she is exempt from social distancing. In fact, her public nature suggests that wisdom is available—and it is available to all: the naïve (1:22), the young (2:1), the fool (7:5), people in general (7:4), and the wise themselves (9:9). Wisdom is not a spiritual gift given to a select group. Instead, wisdom is a spiritual discipline that God offers to all. This should be a great comfort to each one of us. While it may be hard to get a host of items these days, one thing that is not hard to acquire is wisdom.
Still, like any spiritual discipline, it is about right choices, commitment, and growth. In these regards, wisdom is a thing to search after; its yield is “better than gold” and “choice silver” (8:19). Wisdom will orient our hearts toward God (8:30-35). So, when you make your list of things to get this week, “get wisdom, and with all your getting get understanding” (Prov. 4:7, NKJV).
