I have been reading Proverbs the last few months, and God is definitely talking to me about wisdom as I read this book. It is a pretty major theme throughout after all, but I’m seeing it differently than I ever have before. Someone asked me what I thought the difference between wisdom and knowledge was, and I’ve been asking God the same question.

Often we focus on knowledge, gaining information ad nauseum, hoping that enough will allow us to control our environment, to be acceptable to God, to prevent pain. But no matter how much we know, we can’t control our circumstances, we already are acceptable to God (based on His work not ours) and we can’t prevent pain. Now, there’s nothing wrong with knowledge, but I think it is only half the battle.

I would define wisdom as the revelation of God’s perspective on the information we have learned, and His definition of application to our lives. Wisdom, after all, is Jesus Himself. When we recognize we are in Christ and already have all of Him, we also can ask for wisdom at any time, knowing that He will give it. James 1:5 says, “And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.

There are so many times throughout my day when I need wisdom, and often I forget to ask for it, believing I’m supposed to know how to do it. The beautiful thing about relationship, though, is that there is no formula. There is no consistent way to do something every time, but it can be a beautifully fluid dance as we are asking our Father all the time for His perspective, His revelation, His wisdom. We can’t get stuck or stagnant then, and we will never lack creativity as we are connected to His wisdom.

I believe wisdom is the ability to see past the presenting problem, believing that God sees something else. This is hard, and we like to define the present circumstance by what we know or feel. Instead, I want His definition, and thus also His perspective.

God’s wisdom allows me to face impossible situations and see nothing is impossible with Him. God’s wisdom tells me there is hope even when things seem hopeless and bleak. God’s wisdom reminds me that His love is limitless even in the face of pain and heartbreak. I want to keep asking for His wisdom to see the world from a totally different perspective.

The starting point for acquiring wisdom is to be consumed with awe as you worship Yahweh. To receive the revelation of the Holy One, you must come to the one who has living-understanding. Proverbs 9:10