Get wisdom

In the early hours of a very cold Christmas morning in Great Falls, Montana, the police and fire departments were called to a park to rescue a grown man who had gotten himself stuck in a plastic toddler swing. To make things worse, the man was completely naked.

 

The swing and its occupant were removed and transported to the nearest firehouse. Trained rescue workers went to work to free the prisoner. First, they tried a hacksaw, but that was too dangerous. Bolt cutters didn’t work either. They tried warm cooking grease from the firehouse kitchen. Finally, someone brought in a steel grinder to remove the rivets holding the swing together. That did the trick. The Fire Captain was quoted, "It was way more torture than he deserved for what he did." So, he was released without charge, and his name was not revealed. The man never explained why he did something so dumb.

 

King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 13:16,

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,

but a fool exposes his folly.

 

This was not a prudent man in Great Falls. He did not act out of knowledge. Not only was his folly exposed; it was frostbitten. We enjoy hearing stories about other people’s folly. But toddler swings aren’t the only things we can get stuck in. A careful reading of Proverbs might help you avoid being stuck in financial ruin. You might avoid the snare of a toxic relationship. The trap of chronic inactivity can bring permanent health consequences.

Some of us are enslaved by addictions. We can be stuck in loneliness, anger and

depression. Among the signs that we are trapped is that we blame others. I might blame my parents, or my boss, or the government or some mysterious powerful system. If I can blame someone other than myself, then I can avoid the hard work of change. 

 

Proverbs 15:32

He who ignores discipline despises himself, 

but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

 

A careful study of Proverbs has always been a good investment, but our world today is starving for wisdom. A provocative article was written a few years ago by Jonathan Haidt called Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid. Haidt argues that Americans have descended into tribes that no longer have rational and civil dialogue.

We feed our minds on junk food such as oversimplified soundbites and even conspiracy theories. Algorithms record our preferences and reward us with more assurances of our biases. This process insulates us from opposing viewpoints. Instead of trying to free ourselves, we identify with the trap we are in. “My blue swing is better than your green swing.” “Never trust someone stuck in a yellow swing.”

 

To break free, we need to enter the “school of wisdom.” This requires study, reflection, and vulnerability. Unlike knowledge, wisdom is not instant. Wisdom is gained slowly though experience and pondering and communal discussion. Our church is widely studying the wisdom writings in the Bible. Many are dedicated to a yearlong study of the Book of Proverbs. We begin each day with a devotional reading and short journal entry. Then we meet regularly in small groups to compare our thoughts and journeys. 

 

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron,

so one person sharpens another.

 

Our world suffers from information overload, while wisdom has become increasingly rare. We know more than ever, yet struggle to live well. Scripture makes a careful distinction between knowledge and wisdom, and it consistently calls God’s people not merely to know more, but to become wise. Biblical wisdom is not optional for the Christian life; it is essential for faithful living, sound judgment, and spiritual maturity.

 

Proverbs 4:7

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

 

Wisdom required effort. Wisdom is costly. If this sounds intimidating, take heart. Wisdom is seeking you. 

 

Proverbs 8:4-5

To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. 

 

This proverb tells us that wisdom is a person. The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ to be wisdom itself. He calls to all of us. Even the simple can gain wisdom. Even those previously foolish can change. Set your heart on wisdom. Get out of your swing.