In Pursuit of Wisdom: How I’m Following Solomon’s Lead

Hands holding glasses over an old bookWhen my hair first began to turn gray, I hated to look in the mirror.

How could I already be so old? Gray hair was for grandparents or, at the least, retirees. I was only in my late 30s! I briefly considered coloring my hair. I knew guys a decade older than me who did so, and hiding their gray definitely made them appear younger. Regardless of appearance, though, they could never truly escape the aging process.

I know I couldn’t. My two arm surgeries, painful plantar fasciitis, and frequent memory lapses reminded me daily that, no matter what I did to stave off Father Time, I was getting older.

I’ve noticed that older folks in my community often walked a bit slower, partied a bit less, and took longer to answer questions. But their answers, along with most of their words, were more thoughtful. Thorough. Logical. Wise.

I realized that, when I took the time to pay close attention to their words, the gray-haired or other older people with whom I interacted possessed and readily shared wisdom. 

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Bill, a retired Naval Captain with whom I once worked, shared his wisdom on a daily basis. He never overreacted, even after we were both laid off by our employer. Instead, he spent time helping me and other co-workers find new jobs. Wisdom at work.

Another gray-haired co-worker named Bill, this one my boss, shared his wisdom through short phrases. “When you walk through the brambles, you’re gonna get scraped” was one of his go-tos. I kept a list of his wise sayings, and I learned a lot about life while doing so.

In today’s world of overstimulation, I’m often tempted to listen to the talking heads who speak earliest and loudest. In the past, doing so has caused me to trust in political and religious leaders who lacked both wisdom and a clear consciences. My actions and my beliefs suffered accordingly.

I’ve tried to convert unbelievers by spouting half-baked arguments for Christianity that I’d read online. Unsurprisingly, they effortlessly demolished each of my points.

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During a high school religion class, I cheated on daily quizzes simply because it was easy to do. Sure, it led to an A in the class, but when I think about what I did, the guilt of cheating still hurts. I couldn’t care less about the A.

If only I had met the two Bills when I was younger. Or perhaps I should’ve just listened to the wise voices already in my life.

Either way, I could’ve avoided guilt, heartache, and pain if I’d listened to the wisdom of others. And, as I raise my kids and mentor younger co-workers, I’ve learned that I have a bit of wisdom to share, too.

A wise guy

In a fourth-grade production, I played King Solomon, son of Israel’s great King David. In my two-foot-long beard and baby blue bathrobe, I’d argue my Solomon impression was spot on.

Solomon knew the importance of wisdom. And when God gave him the opportunity to request one gift that might help him as he took over for his father, he knew exactly what to ask for:

“Give me, therefore, wisdom and knowledge to govern this people, for otherwise who could rule this vast people of yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10)

Solomon didn’t ask for power, riches, or fame. Instead, he asked God for wisdom — the ability to see the world through God’s lens and, in doing so, the discernment to know right from wrong.

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So often we don’t care about right or wrong…or at least we don’t prioritize it. I know I don’t. I speed because I want to get home faster. I don’t consider how doing so might impact the drivers around me. I want a promotion. I don’t think about my coworker who deserves it more. I’m selfish. I’m sinful. And I lack judgment. I’m unwise.

But aren’t we all?

I’ve heard it said that we should live with an eternal perspective. In other words, we should live life on earth knowing that what we think, believe, and do will impact our eternal destiny. But that’s often not easy, especially while struggling through daily deadlines, financial shortfalls, and with the people in our lives.

Follow Solomon’s lead

So how do we become wiser? James, in just the second paragraph of the introduction to his epistle, tells us.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it.” (James 1:5)

That’s what Solomon did, and that’s what we should do, too.

Pray for wisdom. Ask God and the saints for guidance. Read the wise words of Scripture, particularly the Proverbs; many of which were penned by wise King Solomon himself. Without wisdom, we’ll never be able to see things the way God sees them.

You may be asking what any of this has to do with age. If we can ask God for wisdom, why would older folks be wiser than their younger counterparts?

While God can certainly grant wisdom, experience plays its part, too. If we suffer the consequences of our dumb choices — or see others do so — our future decisions will likely be wiser. The same applies to the good choices we make or observe.

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I’ve observed family members whose work and finances stressed them so much that they drank half a dozen cans of beer a night to cope. As a result of my observations, I’ve accepted jobs that have manageable stress levels, as well as hours that allow me to spend plenty of time with my family.

I’ve also, on occasion, spent so much time caring for my family that I’ve neglected to care for my own needs. This has caused me to feel bitter toward my family even though it’s my fault. As a result, I’m learning that it’s okay to occasionally take some time for myself. A few hours on the lake with a fishing rod in hand does wonders for my sanity.

While I would in no way consider myself wise, I guarantee I’m much wiser than I was even a year or two ago. 

I’m sure the same is true for you, too. And asking God to refine your wisdom even further will provide you with the tools you’ll need to navigate life’s biggest challenges. Your experiences plus God’s guidance will work together to provide you the insight you didn’t realize you needed.

Instead of trusting the loudest voices, seek God’s wisdom. And instead of yearning for your younger days, thank God for your experiences and embrace the gray.