If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5
Have you ever avoided asking a question in class because you didn’t want to be made to feel stupid? Have you ever refused to ask for directions though you were lost because you didn’t want to appear helpless? Have you ever gone to great lengths to avoid being shamed? I know I have.
In our day and age, it’s easy to think that if we don’t know what to do, we should search about it online. The top 10-15 search results serve as the guiding light through our world of darkness. Maybe, if we are brave, we have a go-to-person who seems to know more than us, so we go to them first when we don’t know what to do. Many prefer to find out things on their own for fear of being exposed as naïve or ignorant. Unfortunately, in these times of uncertainty and rapid communication, we find ourselves in this position quite often. This was never God’s plan.
While God encourages us to seek input from others, and while searching for answers is a vital part of His invitation to “seek,” God wants us to go to Him first.
Wisdom is not earned.* Wisdom is not produced from suffering.* You are not born into wisdom, nor does it fall into your lap. Wisdom is a gift from God.* He does not shame us for not having it; nor does He give us just enough to get by.* James tells us that God gives us wisdom generously and does not shame us for needing it… when we ask for it.*
Wisdom is often what allows us to make it through trials and leads to wholeness.* Wisdom is not just knowing things, but it involves the practical living out of the things of God that we know to be true.* Wisdom is the ability to discern and walk out how God wants us to live.* In this, God gives us what He asks of us.* Isn’t He good? Wisdom… we just have to ask.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to recognize that you need only ask Him for wisdom. Perhaps today God wants you to stop trying to make yourself wise enough. Maybe today God wants you to know that He will give you what He is asking of you. Perhaps today God wants you to see how good He is.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 50-52). Zondervan.
McCartney, D. G. (2009). James (pp. 88-90). Baker Academic.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:5-8). IVP Academic.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 214-215). Zondervan.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 50-51). Zondervan Publishing House.