A Word From Ron – Just Ask

Never in human history has information been so readily accessible. At our fingertips, we can research how to be a better parent, fix a specific thing on my specific car, build a house, research and validate the points the pastor preached, how to eat healthy, and so on and so forth. The amount of information is unlimited. But knowing exactly what to do with that information and how to use it requires something else entirely, wisdom.

Too often we assume that the same sources of information: friends, books, media, or the internet, are the same place we would acquire wisdom. Information and wisdom are entirely different, and yet we continually return to the wrong places attempting to acquire both.

Certainly, man can acquire a certain level of wisdom from just life itself, life experiences both good and bad. We can apply information to those experiences and over time come away with a certain level of wisdom. But for true, full, and pure wisdom, there is really only one source.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

James here in verse five reminds us of the true source of wisdom and exhorts us to go there! God is the source of wisdom, not our friends, not any media, not the internet, but God Himself. Why would we go anywhere else when the source of all wisdom is not only right in front of us, but He makes it readily available. James says that God gives wisdom simply, liberally, and generously. Further, He has no expectations from us, He “upbraideth not,” which means he doesn’t discriminate, He doesn’t find fault, and He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. Instead, I think it pleases Him because seeking wisdom actually helps us in our growing in grace, but not when we seek it elsewhere.

God wants to be where we go when we seek wisdom, direction, or guidance, so why go anywhere else. Any other direction will certainly be less than perfect. Why take that risk? God’s wisdom sits available and any time, waiting… just for us to ask!