2 Kinds of Wisdom - Do you know the difference?

The past two weeks have been a flurry of fast and furious activity in The Tracht Home. We flew home from Oregon and hit the ground running as we prepared to begin a new school year - me at MVNU and the boys at East Elementary and the Middle School (MIDDLE SCHOOL!?!?). I seem to forget how much energy it takes to get 2 boys to school for the first time each year. School supplies, endless forms, fees for everything, schedules, buses, "cool" clothes, and the list goes on.... In the midst of it all, I go back to work, as well. This fall, however, is different as I will be teaching in addition to my regular responsibilities. I have high expectations for myself, and I am nervous about meeting them!

One aspect of going back to work that excites me is the schedule it requires of me. I am so much more efficient when I have a schedule to meet - though I get tired of it and crave spontaneity, too. I am back to my morning routine of Bible study in the car - I love it! This fall I am beginning to read, study, and consider First Corinthians. This book addresses Truth - so you can see why I am drawn towards reading it. In addition, a group of ladies is finishing up a Beth Moore Bible study about Esther.

In I Corinthians chapter 1 verse 20 stands out:

"So what about these wise men, these scholars, these brilliant debaters of this world's great affairs? God has made them all look foolish and shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense" (TLT).

Couple these sentences with the example Esther provides us. Esther was nothing by the world's standards - an orphaned, Jewish girl. She engaged the leader in a culture where her uninvited presence could have led to her immediate death. Yet, by the power of God, she negotiated with King Xerxes and saved the Jews. As Moore (2008) says, Esther was "mannerly, feminine, sweet, smart, and shrewd" (p. 157).

As God reveals Truth to His children, let us be like Esther in the midst of useless nonsense:

• Available for God to accomplish His plans;
• A patient, mannerly follower of God;
• A smart risk-taker on God's behalf;
• A shrewd negotiator bringing protection to God's children;
• Wise - by Godly standards;
• An active, feminine woman who obediently serves God and brings Him glory.

Lord, I ask for Your wisdom in this world because I know the wisdom of this world is foolishness to You. Help me to differentiate between the two, and to know You better than I know this world.

Moore, B. (2008). Esther: It's tough being a woman. Nashville: Lifeway.