How to Gain Wisdom--Some Wise Steps

In Proverbs 2 we find this timeless advice:

indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Lately in my quest to know God more and the vastness of His character, I have discovered the value of relationship. A wise person told me recently that truth is revealed through relationship. Pretty much everything we discover about ourselves, or the universe we dwell in, or the God who conducts it all like a mass orchestra, we learn through relationships of some sort. Left on our own, we only see a broken, blurred half-sort-of reflection of what life really is. We need each other. We were formed out of the dust for the very purpose of relationship. I'm learning some keys to healthy and flourishing relationships that will help us also discover truth and understand God more. These things work with the Lord too as we seek fellowship with Him. It is a lifestyle of the Proverb--crying out for insight.

1. Listen well. I believe that most strife, conflict, and misunderstanding vanishes when we take the time to listen. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a past, present, and future. In a society that's all about talking and opinions, the counter-culturally radical thing to do is listen. Your heart and mind will be opened and I guarantee you will learn something.

Have you stopped, erased agenda, and simply listened to the Holy Spirit lately?

2. Ask good questions. I started praying that I would ask good questions. Did you know with one simple question you can squeeze minutes of solid-gold wisdom out of a wise person? It's true! The truth is right there waiting to be discovered. Stuck with what to ask? Ask someone you admire how they got where they are; ask them how they stay there; ask them something as simple as, "What is the biggest word of advice you could give to me off the top of your head?" Get to KNOW them. Then apply step one and LISTEN--soak in what they're saying. You know, you'll be asked for wisdom some day too!

What questions are you burning to ask God about Himself?

3. Encourage and honor people. This isn't flattery. It's truth. It starts with simple compliments; then it searches deeper, into the beautiful depths of a person. What do you appreciate about the people around you? And those you admire, why do you admire them? Make sure you admire them for a worthy cause. For example: I can name right now each person that has inspired each of these bits of advice I'm writing in this blog, and why I have modeled pieces of my life after them! As we honor others, we are pointing out God's reflection in them, and then choosing to imitate our Creator also through following their example.

Do you actually admire Jesus? Does your life show it?

4. Pray for opportunity, then take it! God opens up crazy doors. I have heard people who have met leaders in very high places, because God gave them the opportunity. Faith trumps qualifications. If you feel you need a circumstance to change in order for you to grow in wisdom, then ask the Lord. And don't be afraid to step out and try new things. Receive the favor of the Lord, but wait for His timing also.

Are you seizing every opportunity to spend time with God and allow Him to speak into your life?

5. Find confidence in God alone. As you follow this quest to attain wisdom, as you seek out those who have already walked the path you're trudging down, as you pray for opportunities to grow through experience, place your confidence in God. Don't allow fear of man into your heart. You don't have time for it. Embrace your identity in Christ. Allow yourself to broaden your horizon, but stay focused on the Goal.

How do you find confidence in the Lord? By doing the first one--listen to what He's saying about you!