“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8 KJV)
A couple of weeks ago, before leaving for a Leadership Conference, I placed my laptop inside the right cabinet of my desk in my private office at home. I thought it wise to hide the laptop from my three-year-old grandson who was spending that weekend with my daughter at our home.
I went on to the conference confident that my laptop was safe from inquisitive little hands and eyes. I forgot about the laptop and enjoyed a wonderful conference with friends and colleagues. Our guest and keynote speaker, Dr. James Earl Massey preached us happy and challenged us to be faithful pastoral leaders.
On Saturday evening, upon returning home, I looked for my laptop in its usual place, but the laptop had disappeared. I immediately wondered if we had had a burglary. But April had not mentioned it, so I ruled that out. What had become of my laptop? When I couldn’t find it in any room of our house, I thought ‘I must have taken it out to the church office.’ So, I went to the church office but it wasn’t there either.
Confused and frantic, I returned to the parsonage wondering what in the world I had done with that laptop. As I entered my private office, I surveyed the room and immediately remembered where I put it. I opened the door on the right side of my desk and voilà. The laptop was right where I had hidden it. I had even hidden it from myself.
Sometimes our wisdom is not so wise after all. And we may even wonder at God’s mysterious wisdom too. But we must remember that God’s wisdom is not on the same level of ours. The wisdom of God is often hidden in mystery, yet clearly understood by those who know God through his son, Jesus Christ. The crucible for understanding God’s wisdom is contained in Paul’s statement: “had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Dear Father, thank you for your wisdom and your Spirit who makes it clear to us. Grant that we may speak your wisdom clearly to those around us so that they may clearly see the Lord of glory. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and courageous today in speaking God’s wisdom,