Wisdom

Recently I met with a friend of mine. He told me they noticed their 16 year old daughter was getting incredibly winded and tired after playing sports. Finally they took her to the doctor to try and figure out what was going on. After several tests they discovered a vein over the heart was getting restricted when her heart rate would go up. Doctors stated it was a major surgery.
           
After checking with their insurance and receiving a referral they scheduled the surgery. The surgery was successful and their daughter had a complete recovery. A few weeks later they received a letter from the insurance company who stated this was a preexisting condition and they could not cover the surgery. My friend stated the bill was almost half a million dollars. There was no possible way they could pay the bill. They began preparing for bankruptcy.
           
In the meantime they appealed to the insurance company and prayed for divine intervention. After several weeks of appealing, they received a letter stating the insurance would cover the entire surgery. This was a huge blessing. One may question if it was unwise to have the surgery in the first place. Of course not. Sometimes we question good situations due to circumstances and challenges instead of trusting God for our greater benefit. 

Our temptation in the current age is to trust our own thoughts instead of pursuing God’s divine wisdom. God wants you to see the greatest wisdom. We spoke yesterday of Ecclesiastics 3 and the true struggle Solomon endured. He was a trust fund baby inheriting a kingdom and having everything he ever wanted but he knew he couldn’t escape death. He also recognized all that is done could be in vein except for a relationship with God.
           
Of everything in the world Solomon could ask for, he sought wisdom. Solomon was highly successful and God granted him wisdom. Today I’m going to highlight some key struggles Solomon had though God granted him wisdom. Knowing how the story ends let’s look at Ecclesiastics 2 and see a glimpse of how Solomon felt for a period.
           
As Solomon reflects he says to have a good time and pleasure. He admits to utilizing alcohol in an attempt to figure out his life. He reflected on the great accomplishments he had to include building homes, vineyards, gardens and an intricate irrigation system. He had slaves and large livestock herds. He had tremendous wealth. Further he could basically have any woman he wanted. This was incredible prosperity yet he hated life. He is further noted saying he took a good look at his life and realized it was hollow and seemingly pointless.
           
He realized everyone is going to die. Accomplishments and accumulation is of no great benefit in the end. There was no reward in hard work and the grief that goes with it. Solomon was clearly in a low place and feeling an immense amount of despair. Is this how Christ feels about us? What’s the purpose? This is a man who was asking for wisdom and was absolutely broken.

Many of you find yourself in this place of brokenness. It seems life is useless and hollow. What’s the point? Regardless of what you are asking God for, you must remember the one gift he has already given. The one prayer that isn’t contingent on growing is the love of God. 

Isaiah 54:9-10 (MSG) ““This exile is just like the days of Noah for me: I promised then that the waters of Noah would never again flood the earth. I’m promising now no more anger, no more dressing you down. For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” The GOD who has compassion on you says so.”
           
We had a little foster boy who endured tremendous pain. The little guy really knew starvation. This was evidenced by him eating until he would throw up. At night I would get up and find him laying at our bedroom door all curled up in a ball. By heart would just break because of the foster care rules he could not come into our bedroom. It was by a miracle we were able to get a psychologist to write a letter requesting the child be allowed to sleep on a mattress in our room. He didn’t have the luxuries of Solomon, he didn’t even know love and comfort.
           
This has helped me keep a perspective in my own life when I reflect about frustration. That little boy had nothing yet he got up every morning and took on the day. Nothing was familiar. Every time I would greet him I would hold out my arms and ask him how much I loved him. He would get so excited and he would hold out his arms wide. Then I’d say this big and show him even more as I pulled him up into my arms. And would embrace him. I loved him, and still love and pray for him.
           
The love I gave him was a gift, he did nothing for it. He didn’t have to perform or grow. Christ has that very same love for you. I can’t even express the pain of giving that little boy to another home after being his daddy for two years. The pain as he screamed daddy and I continued to walk away took my breath away. Though God had his plan I still don’t understand all of it. But one thing I know for sure, I can’t even imagine the Love God has for us when he looked at his own little boy and allowed him to be tortured, mocked, and killed so you could have the greatest gift of all without even earning it.

I can see Jesus saying I love you this much as he spread his arms on the cross. You may think there is no purpose, but you are not the keeper of the starts. My God who made a perfectly functioning universe blew life into your body for a purpose. Accept nothing less. The love on the cross and the gift of salvation is not the, be all end all.

God loves you every day in every way. That very passion you have for your child, the willingness to protect and fight for their every need is innate. God’s passion for you is stronger.  The bible is filled with numerous versus expressing God’s love. He thinks of you every day in every way. You matter. It isn’t just smoke. You have a divine appointment on this earth with a God given call. Though working through your call isn’t always easy and is definitely fraught with trials and tribulations.

​The wisdom comes in the journey. Know this, God is with you every step of the way. Most of all, he loves you. He is proud of you and is always ready to bless you.