James 3:17-18
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
Attending grades 6 through 12 on a Christian college campus was an education in itself. I later graduated from that same college (now a university), but I think I learned as much by observing the students as I learned from my professors.
I must confess that there were times when I struggled academically, but I was able to squeak by and even attain a Masters of Arts degree in Sociology. (This proves that miracles still happen!)
Most of my real education was gained through my parents. They were raised on the Oklahoma panhandle and endured the rigors of much of the dust bowl years. Families had a tough time back then and an eighth grade education was considered to be the norm.
The wisdom that both of my parents possessed, was not something that can be taught in a classroom. They reasoned things out and became practical in ways that many in our modern day world lack.
One of the things they engendered in me was a love of people. Since money was always scarce we needed to make our own brand of entertainment. One of the most enjoyable things we did as a family was to drive the mile into town, park the car and watch people. It is amazing what you can learn about human nature by simply observing people.
In yesterday’s Daily-E-Votional I made a mess of relating a humorous story. What can I say? Some people can tell a joke and some people can’t! Anyway, I mentioned something about how differently waiters behaved when they left the dining area and entered the kitchen.
In graduate school I read a book by Erving Goffman called, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. One summer he observed waiters at a prestigious hotel and the difference in their behavior as they served guests and how they reacted with the kitchen staff. There was a world of difference and not for the better!
In today’s Scripture, James defines heavenly wisdom—the kind of wisdom that we need to pursue. Consider the adjectives James uses: Pure; Peace-loving; Considerate; Submissive; Full of Mercy and Good Fruit; Impartial and Sincere.
That is the wisdom that the believer should be striving to attain. Students often carry study notes with them to prepare for an up-coming test. Wouldn’t it be a great idea for each of us to write the adjectives down and make a concerted effort to gain heavenly wisdom? I have just written mine down—please join me.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil