Subscribe now to receive new weekly essays by email!
Wise - How wise it is to desire and seek the gift of wisdom.
Some of us value wisdom, others not so much. For some, to be thought of as wise would be considered high praise, while others would not like it, for they are more accustomed to a prideful understanding of the word that means someone who presumes to be smarter than everyone else. Wise, as a word, differs in meaning depending partly on the context in which it is used, but is still only a word. It is ultimately about a reality that transcends words.
We do not simply choose to be wise, as if we could decide to think, act, or speak in a certain way. We can desire to become or to grow in wisdom, but as we likely know when we reflect on it, none of the people we think of as being wise would think of calling themselves wise. We recognize that one quality of being truly wise is that of humility.
Similarly, we likely admire the quality of being wise enough to know when to listen and when to speak. We have no problem recognizing how some people are quick to offer opinions that are not responses to what was said to them because they had not really listened. Further, we know the difference between hearing just the words and noting also the tones of voice, pauses, and other indications that reveal the full meaning of what others really say. We have learned how wise it is to listen carefully and to also be careful about how we respond to others.
Without making any claims to being wise, we can still try each day to pause ever so slightly before speaking or acting to allow for whatever gifts of insight, respect for others, and care for our own sense of honesty we might have, to effectively guide us in our way of proceeding. We do not need a license or anyone else’s permission or approval to develop habits that we consider wise. Our interest is not in achieving some kind of reputation for being wise, but only in doing what seems right here and now. No matter what anyone might call such behavior, this is how we want to live in a world where loud, pushy, and often inconsiderate words and actions are prevalent in the culture, but contrary to any understanding of the common good.
Becoming wise is a worthy goal, especially when sought for benefits far greater than any judgments others may make about us or any opinion of our self-worth. There is a strong connection between being graced with this gift from God and its accompaniment of a deeper sense of peace and contentment with our relationship with God and our place in all of creation. A favored prayer by many Christians has us asking the Holy Spirit to be “truly wise and to ever rejoice in God’s holy consolations.”
A wise request.
Last Updated 7/18/2026