She was wise. I was not. Twenty-something me joined her Tuesday morning Bible study class for two primary reasons:
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To enjoy two-and-a-half hours of uninterrupted, child-free conversations with other young moms (God bless all of you angels who work in church nurseries).
- To quench a deep-felt need in my life to know – really know — the Bible and grow spiritually.
I was not looking for wisdom. But I am most grateful to tell you that I found it anyway.
Her name was Georgia Kern. She was the first and best Bible study leader I’ve ever had. She led without lecturing. She drew us out without dominating. She taught us the Bible.
But the bonus we received was wisdom.
Every Tuesday, our little group had front-row seats to witness wisdom firsthand. It emanated from Georgia’s example. It was communicated through her words. And it radiated through her strong yet gentle spirit.
Oh, how we need more Georgia’s in our world today!
Will you, my sister, become one of them?
No, you don’t have to lead a Bible study.
You don’t have to have a speaking gift.
And you sure don’t have to wait until you’re fifty or sixty-something.
You can become a woman of wisdom – a woman whose life displays and directs others to God, the true source of wisdom. And you can begin today in these 7 ways:
7 Ways to Become a Wise Woman
1) Read Proverbs regularly.
Proverbs 1:2-4 (NLT)
“[The purpose of Proverbs] is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.”
We live in a world where we are constantly assailed by false beliefs and flawed values. Reading Proverbs reminds us of the unchanging truths of God’s Word and equips us with wisdom to stand firm in our faith.
2) Tune your ears to wisdom.
Proverbs 2:2 (NLT)
“Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.”
The world is not like a Pandora app that allows you to listen to your favorites and filter everything else out. But if you tune your heart to God’s still, small voice, His wisdom can still be heard.
3) Ask for wisdom.
Proverbs 2:3-6 (NLT)
“Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding . . .for the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Don’t have a Georgia in your life? Someone to turn to for wisdom and advice? Yes, you do. You have God. Cry out to Him. Ask Him for wisdom. After all, that’s how Georgia got it.
4) Find wisdom for yourself.
Proverbs 2:4 (NLT)
“Search for [wisdom] as you would for silver; seek [it] like hidden treasures.”
The first and foremost place to find wisdom, of course, is the Bible. But don’t stop there. Learn from your own mistakes. I’ve found more wisdom in failure than I’d like to admit. You, too? Wise women do.
5) Develop wisdom through practice.
Proverbs 4:5 (NLT)
“Get wisdom; develop good judgment.”
My biggest failures have not occurred because of a lack of wisdom, but because I failed to practice wisdom. I knew better, but I forged ahead and did things my way. Wisdom is one thing. Practicing it is another.
6) Steer clear of fools.
Proverbs 4:14-15 (NLT)
“Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.”
Fools and the wicked are everywhere. They bully, manipulate, and love to control others. You cannot always avoid them, but wisdom will help you steer clear of their destructive paths.
7) Fear the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)
“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Reverence. Respect. That’s what it means to fear the Lord, but that’s not all. It is reverence for God that results in obedience to God. Want to be a wise woman? Don’t just respect God, obey Him, too.
No matter how young or old you are, you can become a wise woman. The only thing holding you back is whether or not you’re willing to do what it takes. And while I cannot make or force you to become wise (and I so would if I could), I do have a question to inspire you to follow in Georgia’s footsteps:
Who has a front-row seat to witness your life firsthand?
Be a wise woman. For them.
Praying for a new generation of Georgias . . .