Hope For Today "Wisdom"

To grow and mature well individuals need good role models.  Role models provide inspiration, guidance, and a framework for growth by demonstrating how to navigate challenges and achieve goals.  They show us by their example, how to think and act well so we achieve goals and when we face the challenges we inevitably will along the way. Truth is, we all have some that are good and some not so good. If we’re not careful, our maturity can be stunted by following the ideas and behaviours of poor role models. 

If we treasure something, we usually take special care of it. We don’t neglect it or leave it where it could get damaged or stolen or forgotten about. As God awakens our hearts and our consciousness to new and wonderful truths – what many would call a spiritual awakening - we need to cherish what we have learned and let this truth nourish our hearts and strengthen us to act in new and God honouring ways.

An important character strength to develop is tolerance – being patient, understanding, and accepting of something different.  We live in a world where there is a mixture of many cultures and behaviours, traditions and beliefs.  For many of us, part of the challenge to be tolerant is learning how to be around others who are at a different place in their life journey than we are in ours.

And  the winner is – oh my, what emotions that puts in the hearts of so many at such announcements. Why? Money is often seen as the source of contentment and happiness. The Bible shows us a better way to that peace.

What does it look like to follow Jesus in different seasons of life? Activities and jobs change; people walk with us for a while and then move along into other spheres; babies are born and the next thing you know they are grown up and having babies of their own. God gives us a helpful framework to shape our thinking and activities.

Something fundamental happens to us when we invite Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and turn our will and our life over to the care of God.  Things that were dead in us come alive and we are able to desire new things, think new thoughts, understand life in a new way, and actually behave differently. 

What do we want to know? What do we actually need to know today in order to be successful and have a good day?

I’m sure you’ve heard as I have this saying, "Let your conscience be your guide." God has given us a conscience as a tool to help us know right from wrong but we need to always surrender that conscience to God and His truth. Why?

God had filled our world with good things – truth, blessings, His presence, hope and purpose – just to name a few.  St. Patrick’s life is certainly a witness to God’s power to be with us through the many different seasons we face.

I’m so glad that we can come to God, not necessarily having all the thoughts and words sorted out that we need to say, but trusting God to know us and want to bless us, just because we come. God wants us to let go of yesterday, leave tomorrow with Him, and just work together on today.

When we get rid of something bad in our lives, we need to fill the vacancy with something good.

From cover to cover the Bible is filled with wisdom and good direction for our lives.