Day 83: Wisdom is Proved Right By Action

If there is one thing that John Mark has said at church that has stuck with me, it is how very important it is to live in the gospels, so to speak. Yes, the entire bible is important, and entirely relevant to our lives and purpose, but knowing Jesus is at the center of everything else. This new year, I switched from my old reading plan so that I could effectively read through the entire bible front to back, simply (shout out to Chris for the advice there). It has already made a difference because I get to spend some time each day rediscovering the savior of the world.
 
In chapter 11 of Matthew, that I read today, there was a small part that stood out to me unlike any other time I've read through this gospel. Jesus is discussing how he and John the Baptist have been described through preconceived, and negative, notions, John as a “demon” and Jesus himself as a glutton and drunkard:

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Matthew 11:18-19

Here, Jesus is illustrating how He and John are both despised for nothing. In this situation, and with this line of thinking, it seemed to be that they were in trouble one way or another. But, it's what Jesus says at the end that really stuck with me: but wisdom is proved right by her actions.

It got me thinking: what am I doing?

In my job, in my life, in my faith...are any of my actions wise?

Am I even trying to establish myself in wisdom through my actions?

Essentially, Jesus is proving a point saying that although people will mock and sometimes slander, your actions will ultimately show what wisdom you have, if any.

I am so worried, so often, that what I am doing is not glorifying at all. And sometimes I wonder, does my existence really make a difference? Am I anything to behold?

Why would the God who created everything ever be satisfied with me?

And then I read through the gospels, and I see Jesus processing things the way that I do, except He has the answers I need, and so desperately desire.

I've realized that in order to gain wisdom from God, I need to be conscious in my actions and what I spend my life doing. Am I helping others? Is the desire even present? Am I loving without thought for myself? Am I loving as He loves me?

Or am I just wasting away on facebook and fast food? 

Am I more worried about what I'm going to wear than the fact that so many people around the world have nothing to wear?

Examine your life, as I do mine; find out if what you are doing is proving you wise, or is showing you to be a fool.

At my age, the thought of being wise is so ridiculous that I can't even begin to fathom it. But, I realize that now is the time to start storing up wisdom because there will come a time when God will graciously put people in your life who may need it. And one of those people may be yourself.

Be kind to yourself as you follow Jesus, but also push to find out what you are doing that is wise so that you can think on those things, and continue doing them to the glory of God.

In Christ,

Lilia