The other day, I read a great prayer that is based on the wisdom of the book of Proverbs.
It reads, “Lord, help me to avoid the world’s shortcuts to looking wise- the cynical air, the inside jokes, the sighs and feigned sadness about how stupid everyone is. Let me despise no one and respect everyone, even if I am correcting them. Amen.”
It is a temptation to make ourselves look wise at the expense of other people. As the prayer illuminates, this is a “shortcut” to wisdom. And there are no short-cuts to true wisdom. Wisdom is acquired by walking the road of the genuine, the humble, the patient. Appearing taller by standing on the back of another is both a shaky foundation and a façade. True wisdom is humble, gentle, and respectful. True wisdom knows how to say, “I’m not sure. I don’t know. I need a while to think, consider, and pray about that one.” True wisdom learns from the mistakes of others, but it doesn’t highlight them. Wisdom protects, respects, and is content with not getting credit.
Next time you’re tempted to lament another in order to appear better-than, may your heart be stirred to quiet compassionate prayer instead. May our put downs only be those we put down on our prayer list. And may we remember that we are saved by grace as well.
As James 3:17 says so well, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”