Soulfood

Ed Welch

How do I grow in wisdom? Very slowly…marriage

What is best? At a Bible conference Sheri said something that Ed knew was wrong and Ed had the settled certainty that he knew what correction she needed. The Spirit asked Ed – but did you love? And it led to an awakening that he had wronged his wife and he needed to ask her forgiveness. It was a simple insight that led to a long repentance – the pleasure of mortification. True wisdom sticks with us – “but did you love?”

Julie Lowe – parenting

Real men love their moms. Julie wanted a kiss from each son when they left for school. There was an incident where one of her sons was angry as he left. Would she follow through on her threat to follow him to school? Would she keep her word? The internal dialog was raging. Finally she knew she had to go to the school – and she got in the car trying to discern what love should look like and what her heart’s desire should be? So she brought a gift of coffee – and the desire is for reconciliation. The wisdom comes in desiring the right outcome for the right reasons.

Jonathan Holmes – friendship

Growing up in a tumultuous home with many relocations, he did not cultivate friendships because he knew they wouldn’t last. An older student/staff worker took him under his wing and invested in him. This man gifts him with friendship that draws him into wisdom, and desires mutual encouragement. Wisdom never misses an opportunity to display love and affection. Wisdom desires the good of the friend.

Ste Casey – wisdom in trauma

Young man in his congregation who was a beloved member committed suicide. Ste and the elders visited every family in the church and two things were in common: everyone was shocked and no one knew what to say. What is there to say? So Ste opened his house and invited all the men to come. He looked to Scripture and turned to Psalm 62:8 – trust in the LORD at all times – even in this moment. Ste exhorted them to speak the thoughts and feelings they were holding back. And the words came out and then everyone spoke emotions. Wisdom is bigger than anyone’s individual words, even words that sound wrong.

Wisdom beautifies and is also creative in the way it works. Wisdom passes itself on. Wisdom gathers people together to help each other.

Wisdom persuades – and first persuades the one who would be wise so that she can move in new ways. Wisdom is embodied in acts of love.

Wisdom is personal and it pursues people.

Wisdom moves toward people in a way that draws them in. Wisdom asks the question that leads to a new understanding because we are humbled by our lack of understanding. Wisdom recognizes that repentance is good and that becoming undone is good, because in repentance we can be restored and when we are undone we can be remade in the image of God.

Wisdom knows when it doesn’t know what to do and in that moment wisdom asks questions to gain wisdom. Wisdom desires to grow and learn.

Wisdom is mercy from the LORD to turn us from the path of death to the path of life.