Having the Wisdom to Seek Wisdom

Wrote this for a colleague who will be doing Morning Devotion with the children tomorrow morning...

Have you ever wondered why we are here on Earth for? We are born into the world and we know for sure we will one day die. Where, then, is the meaning in all that we do in our lives if everything comes to an end when we die?

Looking at how the children of this generation study hard to get a good job in the future and earn for their living, taking up piano lessons, fencing, enrichment classes to expand their knowledge and build their skills. They dream of living in big houses and driving an awesome-looking car. We all want to become somebody, not a nobody. Our parents want us to become the best we can be too. But what is really this “best” that we can be? We spend so much time, effort and money to bring out the intelligence in each child but we have failed to realize that far beyond our little planet of intelligence is an unlimited universe of wisdom. Wisdom cannot be taught or learned through books; it can only be self-discovered and realized when we constantly reflect on LIFE, when we look beyond what is superficial to what is deeper.

Intelligence cannot help us to understand why a mother or teacher scolds and punishes a child. But wisdom opens our minds to recognize the love they have for us in their scolding and punishment.

Intelligence tells us to keep our money for our own needs and ignore the poor beggar along the street. But wisdom opens our hearts to recognize that it is when we give to those in need that we find peace and real happiness.

Intelligence scores us straight As in examinations, making our report books seem perfect. But wisdom scores us perfection in our characters, making our lives be filled with goodness and smiles, and everyday becomes a day to truly make a positive difference in this world.

God puts us in this world for a reason. There is something out there in this world we were meant to do. We believe that after this life, we will join God in heaven forever. There, we will not have to work or study, fight or argue. There will be peace and happiness forever, without end. In the midst of our struggles on earth, in the midst of all the examinations and studying, have we forgotten that all these will one day pass away with us when we die? The only Truth that will remain, the Truth that only wisdom will allow us to see, is that in this life, God is more important than anything and everything because when we die, He is the only One who remains.

Mark 13:31

Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.

Are we wise enough to value wisdom above intelligence? Do we put on our spectacles to see what our short-sightedness fails to see?

05 April 2011 Tuesday

4.50pm