WHAT IS THE SECRET OF LIFE? Most people would have to admit if pressed, that divining the mystery of life and discovering what they were here for, would be the most prized (and elusive) thing, simply because it seems unattainable. I recall a television program called “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and the answer to the “Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” was simply 42—of course, then they had to find out what the “Ultimate Question” was!! Nothing’s ever easy when trying to work out the meaning of life.
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Ask most people and there will be varied responses for the meaning of life—what we’re actually “here” for. Some will say, ‘to have a good time’, others might say, ‘to live and learn’, and still others, ‘to make money and enjoy spending it’. Ask me, and my answer is relatively clear: “I’m here to grow in wisdom.” I want to grow in my seven virtues: live the way of diligence and prudence; seek to create and sustain shalom and balance; live in a way that nurtures trust and upholds respect, and finally, settle for nothing less than wisdom.
Ask most people and there will be varied responses for the meaning of life—what we’re actually “here” for. Some will say, ‘to have a good time’, others might say, ‘to live and learn’, and still others, ‘to make money and enjoy spending it’. Ask me, and my answer is relatively clear: “I’m here to grow in wisdom.” I want to grow in my seven virtues: live the way of diligence and prudence; seek to create and sustain shalom and balance; live in a way that nurtures trust and upholds respect, and finally, settle for nothing less than wisdom.
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Wisdom: There’s no goal quite like it. The ancient’s held her up as the jewel of the crown of life—she is to be esteemed beyond any earthly treasure. Why is it there are so many over the course of time in history who’ve fallen in love with her? Let’s explore.
Wisdom: There’s no goal quite like it. The ancient’s held her up as the jewel of the crown of life—she is to be esteemed beyond any earthly treasure. Why is it there are so many over the course of time in history who’ve fallen in love with her? Let’s explore.
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The main point here is the “effect” of wisdom. What does wisdom really achieve for us? Because I have found wisdom of intense interest, I commenced my search some time ago. A bit like happiness, wisdom appears relatively elusive, but there are rewards for those who search for her.
The main point here is the “effect” of wisdom. What does wisdom really achieve for us? Because I have found wisdom of intense interest, I commenced my search some time ago. A bit like happiness, wisdom appears relatively elusive, but there are rewards for those who search for her.
s
Amongst the research I have done, I’ve found that wisdom provides three salient things in abundance—as a general rule. Test this out. See if it applies in the lives of whom you see as wise. First, wisdom promises long life. This is longevity of life, and it is also quality of life through the years. Have you ever noticed how some people age quite quickly and by the time they enter their sixties or seventies they’re a spent force, while others push through these barriers seemingly at ease and are spritely at 90? The latter people are probably the ones who lived wisely, looking after their bodies and minds, achieving balance in life, living diligently and prudently, not foolishly. They lived at peace with their peers and weren’t swallowed up by worry and cancer from the so-called stresses of living and dysfunctional relationships all around them.
Amongst the research I have done, I’ve found that wisdom provides three salient things in abundance—as a general rule. Test this out. See if it applies in the lives of whom you see as wise. First, wisdom promises long life. This is longevity of life, and it is also quality of life through the years. Have you ever noticed how some people age quite quickly and by the time they enter their sixties or seventies they’re a spent force, while others push through these barriers seemingly at ease and are spritely at 90? The latter people are probably the ones who lived wisely, looking after their bodies and minds, achieving balance in life, living diligently and prudently, not foolishly. They lived at peace with their peers and weren’t swallowed up by worry and cancer from the so-called stresses of living and dysfunctional relationships all around them.
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Secondly, wisdom promises prosperity. This is shalom, the Jewish Hebrew word. It is everything truly good for us; wellbeing, wholeness, wealth (the right kind of wealth from the right way of living), peace, wellness, and an absence of agitation and discord. It is the feeling that you’ve cracked the code of life: you’ve achieved what you’ve been sent to do. Mission accomplished... that sort of thing. How many people actually sit back at 70, reflecting in their lives, and say “My whole life I’ve felt like that”? Not many I would suggest; yet, that’s exactly what our goal should be—to have not wasted our lives by simply living, but to make it count in some way, by working on leaving a legacy, having a purpose. It’s about seeking the right things in life. The effect is prosperity. It’s about teaching your children those same right things and guiding them day by day, and seeing them ‘crack the code’. What better outcome could there be than this sort of prosperity?
Secondly, wisdom promises prosperity. This is shalom, the Jewish Hebrew word. It is everything truly good for us; wellbeing, wholeness, wealth (the right kind of wealth from the right way of living), peace, wellness, and an absence of agitation and discord. It is the feeling that you’ve cracked the code of life: you’ve achieved what you’ve been sent to do. Mission accomplished... that sort of thing. How many people actually sit back at 70, reflecting in their lives, and say “My whole life I’ve felt like that”? Not many I would suggest; yet, that’s exactly what our goal should be—to have not wasted our lives by simply living, but to make it count in some way, by working on leaving a legacy, having a purpose. It’s about seeking the right things in life. The effect is prosperity. It’s about teaching your children those same right things and guiding them day by day, and seeing them ‘crack the code’. What better outcome could there be than this sort of prosperity?
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The third and final promise of wisdom is honor! I love something I read recently, again from theologian, Paul Koptak, “Nothing earns honor more than working for goals higher than praise.” We all seek praise and honor in life. Yet, Wisdom turns this on its head and simply says, Forget about seeking honor itself and seek ME first and I will give you the honor at the right time—what’s more, I will give it in ways and in amounts that you will feel completely grateful for—but don’t work for honor alone. Work to attain ME instead.
The third and final promise of wisdom is honor! I love something I read recently, again from theologian, Paul Koptak, “Nothing earns honor more than working for goals higher than praise.” We all seek praise and honor in life. Yet, Wisdom turns this on its head and simply says, Forget about seeking honor itself and seek ME first and I will give you the honor at the right time—what’s more, I will give it in ways and in amounts that you will feel completely grateful for—but don’t work for honor alone. Work to attain ME instead.
s
Nothing satisfies quite like a good name—a good reputation. Don’t work for praise and honor alone, just do the right, just, and fair things and honorable things will come to you by themselves. Forget about competing with and comparing with others. Focus on doing the right thing.
Nothing satisfies quite like a good name—a good reputation. Don’t work for praise and honor alone, just do the right, just, and fair things and honorable things will come to you by themselves. Forget about competing with and comparing with others. Focus on doing the right thing.
s
Of course, to attain wisdom really means to attain God—to be at peace with him. As God is love, so God is wisdom.
Of course, to attain wisdom really means to attain God—to be at peace with him. As God is love, so God is wisdom.
s
Seek wisdom; get wisdom; clamber for it, search for it, and never give up. You will never regret it as you achieve the true treasure of life: long life, prosperity, and honor. Not only will you achieve the treasure, you will also come much closer to knowing with faithful certainty, the true meaning of life.
Seek wisdom; get wisdom; clamber for it, search for it, and never give up. You will never regret it as you achieve the true treasure of life: long life, prosperity, and honor. Not only will you achieve the treasure, you will also come much closer to knowing with faithful certainty, the true meaning of life.
s
© Steve J. Wickham, 2007.
© Steve J. Wickham, 2007.
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