The Prize

Wisdom is too high for a fool;in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say.

Proverbs 24:7 (NIV)

Have you ever seen a child scoot a chair up to the counter so he can reach the cookie jar? The prize of a cookie awaits him. Even if he’s never seen it done, somehow he figures it out and does what it takes to climb up to get that cookie. This is called motivation. They say necessity is the mother of invention. But desire is definitely a key element.

God has set the prize of wisdom for living before us, available to everyone. James 1 tells us we can ask God and he will give wisdom. So then does the actual attainment require effort and some hard choices on our part? Is there some pain in the gain? Absolutely! Anything worthwhile is worth paying the price, pressing past obstacles, reaching higher, stretching past our lowest instincts and weakness of will. God shows us the way, but we have to choose to go the way. Foolishness has a price too, you know. Even though foolishness often gets the prize of instant gratification, the consequences always come due.

Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) was an Italian patriot, soldier, and hero who devoted his life to the cause of uniting Italy. Garibaldi had an incredibly committed volunteer army. His appeal for recruits was bold and clear: “Let him who loves his country with his heart and not with his lips only, follow me.” He told his men, “I do not promise you ease; I do not promise you comfort. I promise you hardship, weariness, suffering; but I [also] promise you victory.” He led others to the high road because he traveled it himself.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

And so the first and real question is, do you want to be a woman of wisdom? If the answer is truly, wholeheartedly yes, pause to picture a specific question or dilemma you are currently facing. Then take that need right now to God in prayer. Ask and believe he will give you wisdom and direction. Ask him for strength and courage. And then be ready. Be ready to take that final important step when he gives you insight—to apply it.

One Year Bible Reading

Isaiah 51:1–53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 24:7