“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” (Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV)
Wisdom looks deeply.
Social Media is a way of life. More than likely, you’re reading this post on one of the many sites that exist. But are you looking past the picture, even past the video? We have to seek wisdom by looking beyond what the eye can see.
For instance, in one of my classes, I had to create a video. My vision was an advertisement for Arm and Hammer Baking Soda. But before I came up with this idea, I found what looked like a cool trick on the internet. The magic, “if done correctly,” caused a metal fork to bend in ionized water. The entire thing was a hoax and I fell for it. Before I invested in the things needed, I should have researched the facts more.
Wisdom looks beneath the surface.
As Christ-followers we have to look deeper. We can’t make quick judgments from appearances. In order to gain a better picture, we have to ask the right questions. Paying attention to what people say and post is important. Look for the balance, is there happy and sad, or is it all happy? If it’s all happy, they’re not telling the whole story of their life. You’re making judgments from appearances with only half the truth.
The other day, I posted a picture on my personal account. A selfie from a bike ride with friends, I was smiling and happy. But the picture was two days old, in real time I was weathering the storm of an anxiety attack. When I posted the picture, I pointed out how easily we can draw the wrong conclusions. If you had only looked at the photo, you wouldn’t know I was battling anxiety.
The truth is, life is a balance of good and bad. On any given day, you experience both. Today is only half over at the time of this writing. Good and bad have happened. The morning started with a tennis lesson with a new student, good. After the lesson, my Achilles hurt from the exertion causing me to limp, bad. Some days, the good outweighs the bad, some times it’s the other way around. Good and bad happens daily.
Years ago, I had a bad moment. I can’t remember what happened. But I do remember what my friend said when I was telling her about the event. She told me, “Don’t let one bad moment ruin your entire day.” I have never forgotten her advice. When bad moments happen, her words float through my mind. She is absolutely right, don’t let a bad moment ruin your entire day.
Seek wisdom and understanding by looking deeper. Don’t judge by appearances, instead look for the balance.
Question of the Day:
How can you look deeper today?
Further Reading: Isaiah 45:11-48:11 NIV, Ephesians 4:1-16 NIV, Psalm 68:19-35 NIV, Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
