I recently experienced weeks of a being in a rut, unclear about what direction I needed to take in my life. Each day I felt like a rat running in circles in a maze of brick walls. I finally surrendered.
In my surrendered state I heard a quiet whisper within that said, “seek wisdom“. I paid attention to this wisdom which instructed me to take more walks. Each day I walked, and walked, and walked again. I noticed violet and ruby flowers blooming in my neighborhood, blossoms I never noticed before. I heard sweet songs of birds, each singing a unique melody rising from treetops. The sky changed each day from azure to gray, to pastel blue streaked with pink tones and long streaks of white. One day, clarity emerged from a sea of my inner silence. I knew what I was to do next.
I’ve hit walls in other areas of my life in the past where surrendering seemed the only option: troubled relationships, career directions, and when I wanted to move to a new location. When we’re stuck in muddy ditches of such conundrums, surrendering is the best beginning.
But I discovered there’s more to surrender. In relinquished states, wisdom has room to spread wings. Wisdom whispers unexpected insights, new ideas, and fresh perspectives. She is like a wise grandma, an ancient source of comfort, directing us to peaceful solutions and wholesome solutions.
When I wanted to move to a new location from a small mountain town in Oregon, where, suffocated between green, wet hills, I longed for a city and beach, wisdom gave me the patience I needed to wait for the right time to make the steps needed to make the move. Wisdom then paved the way for my family to move San Diego, where for many years I found a sense of home I hadn’t had since my early childhood years on Long Island. The move brought me what I needed: a great high school for my son, a community of families, both a sense of city and suburban life, walks down sandy shores, and big wide skies. We landed in a suburban, family neighborhood that reminded me of my childhood years frolicking on Long Island streets on summer nights, catching lighting bugs in glass jars, running toward the ding-a-lings of the ice cream truck bells, yearning for the sweet taste of melting creamsicles. Taking the Coaster down to the heart of the San Diego for city nightlife brought back fond memories of adventures to Broadway shows in New York City with grandma. Wisdom led me to my hearts desire, a path to a home.
A magnificent poem in Proverbs 8 tells us that wisdom was the first of God’s work, formed ages ago “at the very beginning, when the earth came to be” — before oceans and springs, before mountains and hills, and fields, clouds and humankind, wisdom stood “filled with delight day after day“.
Wisdom, Sophia in Greek, is with God from the beginning. She precedes all of creation! Who else would know best to lift the burden of my lack of direction, but the one who was with God as creation was formed. She was there when God deemed it ‘all good’, she is the one who knows best the rhymes and reason of creation’s splendor, the secrets of our destiny and God’s unfolding vision for the purpose of our lives. How often she’s forgotten in the retelling of the creation story.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. She shines like a diamond in the rough, bringing peace and prosperity, guidance and protection, she’s the one who shouts out in the streets:
Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
and make you wise. – Proverbs 1:20-23
Do we hear her?
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who get’s understanding..She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. – Proverbs 3:13-18
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.– Proverbs 4:6
Are you struggling with an issue, a decision, a need? Listen for her promises, follow her ways!
Ironically, my scripture reading this morning was from James 1 that spoke boldly about simply asking God when we need wisdom.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.-James 1:5
Yet, James also tells us that when we ask for wisdom, we “must believe and not doubt”, because doubt is “like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind”, unstable, double-minded, and unreceptive to promised gifts.
So believe, and not doubt, and “it will be given to you” – believe, and receive the peace-giving, enriching, authentic, without fault, promises of wisdom! She’s like nectar dripping through our minds, bodies and souls, receive her, she’s merciful and sincere, and scripture says she “holds no blame”. She’s kind to us when we blame ourselves, when we feel insufficient, incapable, insecure. When we’re directionless.
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.– James 3:17
I find the greatest wonderment of wisdom in the New Testament that tells us it is Christ “who has become for us wisdom from God” (Corinthians 1:30), and that it is in “Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom”.(Col 2:3)
My lack of direction wasn’t, after all, the issue. The issue was that in relying on my own will, my own need to find clarity for the next steps in my life, I not only stewed in endless frustration, I missed the treasures of Christ’s heart — the unfolding gems of wisdom doing her organic, fruitful work to guide me in the way I should go. I had missed the loving, superior way of living as a branch on Christ’s vine, well-nourished by wisdom’s ways, at peace, trusting, knowing, following, surrendered, listening for the still silent voice within that would soon say, “go this way”.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.” Proverbs 4:89
The one who gets wisdom loves life. – Proverbs 19:8
I am also in the throes of some serious creative block. I find that going for a walk, or doing something with my hands is the best way for me to get back on track. 🙂
I really love your spiritual approach to creativity! I recently came to the same conclusion, that I can’t only rely on myself to be creative because after all I am only an instrument through which the original creator speaks!
It’s so easy to get our will to get caught up in the creative process..prayers for continued surrender and wisdom’s guidance! Thanks for visiting!
The one who gets wisdom loves life. – Proverbs 19:8 “The issue is that in relying on my own will, my own way, my own agendas for a calling, I missed the treasures of Christ’s heart….”(Kathy Barbini). I needed this sacred writing on wisdom as you know I have had quite a challenging week hosting my son, daughter-in-law and grandbabies. My grandbabies are filled with radiance, joy and love. They fill us with delight. My millenial son and daughter-in-law continue to challenge me in that I feel invisible to them. I do not feel that they see me as another feeling, thinking human being as they work through the fog and exhaustion of being parents of an infant and toddler. I need my spiritual warrior side and sophia wisdom more than ever as I struggle to selflessly and lovingly support these young parents. I know the Christ wisdom would say that I am blessed with the most beautiful grandchildren imagineable and that I have great gifts in that my son and daughter-in-law are loving and supportive of each other and are remarkable parents. It surprises me that for so long women of our generation pushed ourselves hard to find our voices AND our voices seem to be the last ones that our adult children wish to hear. This is probably the most ego smashing experience I have ever experienced. I work to “trusting surrender, rather than digressing to fruitless hooking-of-the-horns confrontations or self-blame when angry or hurt” . To this end, I call on my wise spiritual warrior armament to give selfless love and show gratitude for the gifts of this new phase of my life. I know that to not shift to a more selfless perspective is to lose life’s bliss….. I am eternally grateful to have soul sisters like you , Kathy, that remind me of Christ’s wisdom and again: “The one who gets wisdom loves life.”
It hurts so much when family cannot love us the way we need and deserve to be loved. Somehow in many families relationships get so complex and
are often fraught with projections, stresses, unmet needs, and expectations. It is when we most need to surrender that we gain wisdom. It reminds me of when Jesus surrendered,the process of resurrection begain. It takes much faith, wisdom and the divine love of Christ filling us to believe all will be well. You are a generous, loving and self-less mother, mother-in-law, grandma and friend, and you are deeply loved. I know it’s been a hard, hard week, yet I know you will find strength and by continuing to turn to Christ and the fruits of wisdom, and I know you will grow through the deserts you’ve been experiencing in this relationship with your son and daughter- in-law. I pray you will continue to surrender, seeking wisdom..for “The one who gets wisdom loves life”!
I love the scripture verses you have shared here. I see wisdom as a noun, now-something that is real, and tangible, and in relationship with rather than a verb to strive for! Sometimes it is just a change of perspective to clear what is blurry in our vision, or needing to turn (away from our striving) to see the the Truth. I would love to visit San Diego sometime, particularly when Switchfoot does their BroAm concert with surfing shows. On the bucket list! Thanks for sharing your view of your city with me. It makes my world bigger.
I love the idea of wisdom as a noun, rather than something to strive for. I find for myself I need to seek — an action–
wisdom first, but I love the notion of wisdom as something right here right now, tangible. Please let me know when you come to San Diego. Switchfoot BroAm is held here at Moonlight beach, and always a big draw for locals as well as out-of-towners! Do let me know when you plan on coming! Jon Foreman and his pro are sons of Mark Foreman, a pastor at our former church in Carlsbad. A beautiful man!! Love your visit today!
I love how the scripture in James just showed up today and I will do well to pay attention to it too. Recently I’ve been feeling the need to slow down and listen to God’s whispers. I know that He’s reminding me to seek Him and seek His wisdom; after all He promises that when I seek after Him, I will find Him.
Thanks so much for this reminder!
yes, interesting how James’ scripture on wisdom was my reading that morning! I’ve been hearing from many bloggers
about the need to slow down to listen to God ..it seems like many of us were seeking other things before seeking first
the kingdom. I know you’re so good at being aware you need to return..Blessings!
Thanks for sharing these insights on wisdom! It is so tempting to use human understanding to try and break a creative block, but we’ve got to go to God first if we really want to have a breakthrough. That’s where the answers are (real wisdom)! Proverbs 3:7 cautions us, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil”. When we think the answer lies with us rather than with God’s wisdom, we’re being wise in our own eyes and likely to miss what God would have us do.
I love your words about how we’re “likely to miss what God would have us do”..God’s light on our path shines most brightly and leads us in the way we should go — always better than we can imagine! So glad you visited!
This was a really timely read for me. I loved this post! Sometimes we get these dreams on our hearts that guide us in the wrong direction. I want God’s dreams for my life. He always knows better where I should go. Thanks for the reminder XO
Thanks for visiting Leah, I really sense from your writing passionate you are for God’s dreams for your life! So much enjoy your writing and look forward to continued sharing!
I felt the Lord’s words penetrate my spirit as I realized how much I rely on my own “wisdom,” rather than seek the Lord and His way. The wisdom from above is the solution for our concerns and will lead us into the blessing that God has waiting. Wisdom is just the word for Christ who longs for us to give our total being to Him to live for Him. I especially found your words to lighten my mind and give me direction in what to do about travel this month. Thank you for sharing.
“But I discovered there’s more to surrender. In our relinquished states, wisdom rises with wings from between the sentences of our surrendered, on-hold lives. Wisdom whispers unexpected insights, new ideas, and fresh perspectives. She is like a wise grandma, an ancient source of comfort.”
OH Kathy… This is just SO profound. You have ignited such a strong desire in me to seek this Wisdom in all things- and to surrender my burdens, my blocks, my barricades so that She will rise in me and light the way.
Thank you for this, my precious friend. I could just feel the Spirit spilling out of your words! I’m so grateful God breathes His truth through you- for us all to truly understand the depths of Christ’s offerings for us all.
Love to have you here again after a long summer! I hope you are well and grateful for you always, and your encouragement!
Oh, your words are so poetic, my dear new writing comrade. Musical and comforting, wise and thought-provoking.
Looking for the next step by looking first to His wisdom – a perfect recipe. Even in the smallest decisions and directions, He promises to be right there, doesn’t He?
What a lovely reminder… Nancy
Hi Nancy, thank you for your thoughtful and poetic comment! So lovely to have you visit, so glad it was a reminder to seek first God!
I love this…the issue is relying on my own will,my own agendas.Amen.That’s our fight