Living in the Spirit

August 10, 2021

Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house,
   she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
   she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
   from the highest places in the town,
‘You that are simple, turn in here!’
   To those without sense she says,
‘Come, eat of my bread
   and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
   and walk in the way of insight.’

I love poetry, and when I hear or read a poem I like, I wonder why I do not take the time to read more poetry. The scripture printed above is one such writing. Entering the house of Wisdom is much needed in our world today. Seven denotes perfection in the Hebrew context. The seventh day of Sabbath brought to fullness the creation of the world and all that was in it; the six days’ work culminated by rest and renewal. We are all called to enter the house of Wisdom and feed upon its bounty coupled with understanding and knowledge. There are times when we are all simple, without sense, and immature. Recently I jokingly said I would need to find a three-year-old to help me complete a transaction on my phone. The people around me laughed. One said her two-year-old grandchild has learned how to call her for a screen chat. Wisdom is for every age and person.

The problem with a fast-moving world of information is learning how to use it wisely, including not being led astray by people trying to make money or otherwise scam people or political opportunists. Sorting out what is valid and valuable requires our entering the house of Wisdom in search of the Word of God to guide us through the tangled webs of the world in which we live.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the stalwartness to seek your Wisdom and to follow it. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.