A Word to the Wise

Have you ever been so smart or known so much about something that you became an ineffective messenger on the subject? Has the saying that you are too big for your britches ever applied to you?  There are so many people out there talking and giving advice, and nobody is listening!  What’s going on here?  What then is the point of sharing and teaching? 

We go to school and learn lessons.  We work on the job and know the manuals well enough to do our jobs.  But no one wants to hear you when you have a good tip to share.  We watch our parents who watched their parents, but nobody hears what we say about raising children.  Really though?  We have all this knowledge. So, what’s the problem? 

Here’s what I think:  We have knowledge, but we are not wise, because we do not seek the first thing first.  We need to seek the spirit of God.  Elisha knew.  He had gone with Elijah many places.  Even when Elijah was on his last leg of his earthly journey, Elisha would not leave his side.  He went with him to Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan.  Time and time again, he watched Elijah go and do what God told him to do. 

When Elijah's time finally came and he offered one last thing to Elisha.  Elisha requested a double portion of the spirit that lived in Elijah.  Elisha knew he would need the people to not only hear but to do.  He needed them to want to hear and accept God’s message. 

Yes, wisdom comes when you can get others to hear.  But more importantly, wisdom is at its best when people implement the knowledge you share.

It's not enough for others to sit in my class or come to my Bible chat, but leave and not try to make a change.  When that occurs, all I have done is taught facts.  It is not enough for me to sing the words of faith, and people applaud or say Amen when I’m done.  That is only singing a song.  But if I teach and if I pray and if I sing and some soul is reached and some life is changed for the better, that is me using the spirit that dwells in me to spread the Wisdom of a life lived with and for Jesus Christ.

Elisha asked for a double portion.  At a minimum, I need 10 times the portion of Jesus to even begin sharing what I know so that others will receive.

And, that’s a word to the wise.

A Word to the Wise

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth L.E. Wiggins

Scripture Reference

II Kings 2:9-13