The Art of Becoming Wise

If wisdom and diamonds grew on the same tree,
we could soon tell how much men loved wisdom.
– Lemuel K. Washburn*

Have you ever lost a diamond or its equivalent?

Perhaps out of a ring, an earring stud, or a man’s watch?

What was your reaction?

I know; mine too.

***

Mine was an opal and diamond ring that was quite special. The opal was a fiery teardrop-shaped stone set in white gold, surrounded by little diamonds. It truly was spectacular as it flashed its rainbow in the sunshine. I had bought it out of my high school graduation gift money.

It wasn’t the money as much as it was what I could get with the money that would have lasting value. So I chose the ring. It represented the love and well-wishes of family and friends. Every time I looked at it, it reminded me of how I had come to have it in my possession.

The ring was beautiful … till the opal cracked. Because I had a warranty on the ring, the stone was replaced. Sadly, it was nowhere near as brilliant in its opalescence as the original fiery stone. From that point on, it lost some of its lustre.

After I married a new, even more valuable ring took its place. The opal and diamond ring was retired to my jewelry box. I wish I could tell you it is still stowed there for safekeeping and sentimental reasons.

Sometime during the thirteen years in the first house we bought as new homeowners, the ring was lost. I have no idea where or exactly when it went missing, but a thorough search of the emptied house when we sold it turned up nothing. My husband made like a rabbit trying to go down the hole of the floor vent in our master bedroom as he searched as far as his flashlight beam could take him. No ring.

Thankfully, I have never lost the beautiful diamond out of my wedding ring. (Check those prongs!)

***

Wisdom, on the other hand, doesn’t come to us quite like going to the jewelers with a wad of cash to pick out what strikes our fancy or catches our eye.

Ol’ Lemuel K. Washburn understood human nature.

No, wisdom¹ comes to us in a different manner. Wisdom calls, wisdom speaks, wisdom instructs us in becoming wise.

But we must listen or we’ll miss what Wisdom has to impart to us.

What is imparted is distinctive in understanding for each person and suited to their circumstances. There are, however, some principles that apply to everyone and all circumstances:

First, Wisdom is no respecter of persons. She calls to the naive and simple (those who make a habit of doing foolish things and who have not yet gained wisdom). That accounts for all of us, for becoming wise is just that – it is something we become. Change is influenced as one learns the art of becoming wise.

Wisdom not only is given liberally to those who lack it, but also to those who have become wise (in some areas) and desire more wisdom (for new challenges). We need only ask God for it to be given.²

Secondly, Wisdom tells it like it is. Not like what we would prefer it to be, or hope it to be, or think it (mistakenly) to be. Wisdom herself says,

“I will speak noble things…right things; My mouth will utter truth…in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverted in them (all her utterances). They are all straightforward and right.” ¹

Becoming wise keeps us in a place of checking reality. The more we learn and accept that Wisdom has our best interests at heart, the more we move out of our foolish cave of denial and gain Wisdom’s unobstructed view from the top of the heights where she takes her stand.¹

Finally, the place Wisdom stations herself is where two paths meet: at the intersection of a house (especially family) and the house of vanity.

Proverbs 24:3 states that, “By wisdom a house (family) is built, and by understanding it is established.”

Whether your family has lots of members or consists of you and the dog, where you establish life is your earthly and spiritual house. Build it well by learning the art of becoming wise. All that is vain will be lost.

***

I don’t know too many people who don’t like receiving gifts. In the case of my opal and diamond ring and the getting of wisdom, though, they both were gifts I sought after.

The ring was a much more fun purchase. It was valuable to me because of the value I placed on it.

Wisdom, however, has been a purchase of another kind – with the value placed on me by Christ.

To learn the art of becoming wise has meant purchasing wisdom by paying a high price on the installment plan. Rarely has it been fun. But its value knows no comparison and unlike my ring, it can never be lost. Wisdom is the gift that keeps on giving.

I’ve no doubt many of you are familiar, too, with the price paid for possessing wisdom. Your sharing is always welcome here in the comments section, in personal email, or in conversation together.

We don’t own a jewelry store, but wedding ring guy and I do run a little shop of wisdom with our Owner. Your contact is always welcome.

~ Nancy

*Is the Bible Worth Reading and Other Essays, 1911
¹Proverbs 8 (the Wisdom chapter)  ²James 1:5
 Photos courtesy of morgueFile free photos & PicMonkey Photo Editor

For more on getting Wisdom, see Five Sources of Wisdom, Part 1 and Part 2