wise – Amy Linnea

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

White gift box with large red velvet bow on wooden table

Every day, God wakes you up. Isn’t He so kind?

After you’re awake, He hands you a gift.

It’s wrapped with a big giant ribbon. I picture it white with a soft, red floppy bow. How about you?

What’s inside, you ask?

Your day. Your brand new day.

Each day is a gift, bursting of possibilities.

He watches as an excited parent while you loosen the ribbon.

I can imagine His father heart bursting with anticipation when He knows this day holds a precious surprise.

Even when it’s a ho-hum, normal sort of day, He smiles when you open up your day. Because each day is brimming with potential.

I can also see His father heart heavy, as He allows you to open a day full of sorrow.

Does your attitude depend on what’s inside? Or are you always grateful for each new day?

Will you thank Him, no matter what comes?

Will you use this gift of time wisely, not squandering it away on worldly cares?

Or will you live within your self, satisfying your fleshly desires above the cost of obedience to God?

Each day’s time is finite. You are finite as so am I.

God, on the other hand, is not. He is infinite. Timeless. Eternal.

God created you for a reason. A specific purpose. Probably several.

Are you seeking Him for what these are, or are you only living for yourself?

Maybe a mixture of both?

Today is here. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Ask God how to spend your time. He’ll tell you. How? Possibly through an idea popping into your head, a person to call, or a task to complete.

Maybe today your job is to smile at the stranger sitting next to you in the waiting room, asking how they are. Or maybe you’ll pray with the waiter.

God will not only tell you, but He’ll stay by you, helping you finish today with a flourish.

You’ll lay your weary head on the pillow, smiling because God used your willing heart to bless others.

Your day may or may not have gone as you planned – but the gift God gave you? You willing gave it back to Him.

Photos by Mia Golic, Rob Laughter, & Sincerely Media on Unsplash

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Proverbs 15:2

We all want to have knowledge.

That’s the ultimate pursuit of man, isn’t it?

Don’t we want to know all things so we can have absolute control?

The pursuit of knowledge is how sin entered the world.

Adam and Eve wanted to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

They wanted to be like God, knowing everything.

Genesis 3:6 says …when the women saw the tree was desired to make one wise….she took of its fruit and ate it, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

But they weren’t wise.

We are still reaping sin’s consequences every single day.

When you are wise, you have knowledge.

Actually you have good knowledge as the Hebrew verb “commends” from Proverbs 15:2 means to be good, well, or pleasing.

Whatever the case, the wise person has the good kind of knowledge.

The kind that furthers you onto God’s plans.

Matthew 12:34 gives us a reason the wise have knowledge.

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Wise people follow God. Fools do not.

What is in your heart?

If God is your focus, your heart will share wisdom as you speak.

If you are your focus, your heart will share folly as you foolishly speak.