Our culture doesn't value wisdom very much, does it? When was the last time that a rapper pumped out some lyrics or Kelly Clarkson belted out some lines about the importance of being a discerning person? Or an NBA player was interviewed after a game and said, "Yeah, I know I scored 43 points tonight and I've made the all-star team the last 3 years, but the most important things I am chasing after is to be known as being wise"?
Doesn't happen.
The Proverbs say that wisdom is more precious than rubies.
Think about that.
Rubies aren't often talked about much in our culture much anymore, but what is of value to you? You translate the verse into your own current context. Fill in the blank. "Wisdom is more precious than..."
a brand new Lexus
a new computer
a branch new home up on the hill
a month-long cruise in the Mediterranean
whatever...
Do you really believe that?
Think about how many people spend their entire lives running after these things. It consumes them, it drives them for years to attain this.
Do you approach seeking wisdom the same way you might approach the above list?
Do you really believe that it is that valuable to you?
Does it bother you that you don't pursue it with that vigor?
What does that say about us?
Good thoughts, JR. Somehow it's a lot easier to dismiss the notion of rubies. The Bible can be a real thorn in our sides when its put into a contemporary context like that...
Thanks for the food for thought.
Posted by: Mike | February 19, 2006 at 11:48 AM
Oh...I thought it was precious than rubles...which don't have any value any more. (...just kidding...) More wisdom, please, from the mind and heart of JR Briggs...and tell us when the "Jump" book will be available for the rest of us.
Posted by: Wes Roberts | February 19, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Whoa, I was just hit by this... so the wisdom inherant in following after God is more important that the dining car experience of the train from Budapest to Szeged... its not just stuff i want, but this wisdom is more important than experiences too???
Posted by: revtom | February 20, 2006 at 11:35 AM
it is good to initiate thoughts about wisdom j.r., but you are setting up a straw man with your opening. tell me honestly, if you just won an intramural football title at Taylor University and the Echo chose you for an interview, would start talking about a desire for wisdom? Probably not, but that doesn't indicate that you don't inherently pursue that in your life. the proverbs passage is a good one to keep in mind, particularly everday, but using a straw man that you can easily knock down to make a point can lead many to question the very thoughts, even if they are good, of an article.
Posted by: | February 21, 2006 at 02:29 PM
To the last person who posted a comment. (For this post I will simply call you the Taylor Straw Man).
Taylor Straw man: Good thoughts on wisdom, but why did you leave your name off?
is it because you were lacking wisdom or courage?
J.R.
Posted by: J.R. Briggs | February 21, 2006 at 03:43 PM
leaving my name off... what i was lacking was neither courage or wisdom, rather the patience to fill in the appropriate information while writing/eating my lunch! congrats on the book JR, that is certainly an achievement.
Posted by: preston cosgrove | February 22, 2006 at 03:20 PM
Cool Preston!
It's good to hear from you.
Yes, eating my lunch and checking email makes me leave stuff off things, too!
Back to the IM championship comment in the Echo, I wasn't saying we acknowledge that every single time...just that I have never hard that of ALL the athletes in ALL the interviews - it has never come up.
Maybe it was a poor analogy....I was just trying to make a point.
Good to hear from you, P.
J.R.
Posted by: J.R. | February 22, 2006 at 06:45 PM