Wisdom In All Things

Live the Examined Life Through Healthy Introspection

“Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.” – John Wooden (a warning he made in Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court when our excuses interfere with our ability to evaluate ourselves.)

Wooden echoes the bolder statement made by Socrates that “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Which is to say, that a life worth living is only possible when examined. How could one argue that they are truly living if not for introspection?

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The Kind of Request That Pleases God

While God is capable of granting our every request, He is especially pleased to grant our request for discernment and understanding. Solomon first worships God before humbly approaching Him to ask not for fame and fortune, but to know right and wrong so that he may lead God’s people, and influence others, honorably.

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Solomon Makes His Request for Wisdom

Solomon’s request of God for wisdom teaches us that more important than asking good questions is that we ask the right questions of the right person. Solomon made two very important requests of God and did so after properly positioning his heart to receive God’s response.

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Solomon’s Missteps as King

Solomon’s first missteps as King are a reminder to us that our obedience cannot be partial. When that is the case, our hearts become divided and our lives a contradiction to what exercising God’s power and wisdom truly looks like.

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Walk in God’s Ways: David’s Charge to Solomon

David loved his son Solomon. In wanting the very best for him, he gave his son–and us–the wisest counsel a person could ever give to someone they cared about. To realize the potential of what God has called us to be, we must heed the charge that David gives his son Solomon: walk in God’s ways.

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The Rise and Fall of Solomon

The rise and fall of Solomon centers on how a divided heart can destroy a kingdom. It is imperative that we follow God’s ways in order to see God’s desired outcomes.

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Ask for Wisdom as Solomon Asked for Wisdom

Asking for wisdom is necessary, but asking the right person is crucial. King Solomon’s demonstrates for us that we should not only be willing, but that we ask for wisdom from the right person.

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A Little Bit Clark Kent, A Little Bit James Bond

I think it goes without saying—the world we live in is increasingly wolf-infested, and growing more so by the week. While we have our challenges and opposition to face, one could argue that the disciples had it even worse. Setting aside their obvious lack of creature comforts and technological advances, they were surrounded by a hostile culture and government—I have yet to hear of anyone in these times threatened with being thrown to the lions.

Regardless, we too are being sent out into this world, such as it is. A world that is too easily influenced and growing more hostile and dangerous to the truth. It is precisely the kind of environment that requires the right blend of Clark Kent and James Bond—or, should I say, a “wise-serpent, innocent-dove man”—to exercise wisdom in all things.

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Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - Chastity

Marriage was designed as the sole place for the purpose of venery to be satisfied. At least what Franklin points out—personal health and the wellbeing of a family—are realized when the expression of our sexual desires remains within the context of marriage.

If not for chastity, our unbridled expression leads to depletion. We’ll have less excitement, strength, peace, reputation, and most discouragingly, less to offer our spouse in marriage.

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Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - Cleanliness

Clean, like, really clean—the way mom would clean something—is clean in back, and underneath, not just where someone might see. To do that, you need to pick up whatever you’re cleaning and inspect it. Cleanliness is being thoughtful, meticulous–and thorough. A quick dusting just doesn’t cut it.

While most of the virtues are applicable across our lives, I find that this one, in particular, is made for “wisdom in all things”. It necessarily applies to our minds, bodies, and souls. But more than a virtue, it might be better called a principal or discipline.

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