February 4: Who is Wise?

Gregg’s Reflection

When I articulated my values in 1995, they distilled into one aspiration — to be a “wise leader.” At the time, I still needed to prove myself, so I pushed my opinions forcefully. This rarely drew people in, but I didn’t yet know another way. Later, while studying with Robert and Rosalind Fritz in their old Vermont farmhouse, I began to imagine hosting retreats of my own in the Colorado mountains. I thought that when people came to the mountaintop, it would mark my arrival as a wise leader.

Fast forward a decade. Serving on staff at City Church Eastside in Atlanta, I hosted leadership retreats for men. On one snowy spring day, I walked to the fire pit overlooking the Continental Divide. I realized my dream had come true — yet I was still critiquing myself for what I had left out of my talk. Out of the stillness in that moment of self-judgment, I heard these questions….

Who is Wise?

What Wisdom do you have that I didn’t give you?

Again, Who is Wise?

I remembered Jesus’ response when someone called Him “Good Teacher” — ‘No one is good but the Father.’ I saw that my desire for wisdom was still tied to ego recognition. That day, I chose to live the rest of my life in the “season of the fool.” Much less pressure to perform if I’m the fool.

  Wise Owl. Great Horned Owl sitting on a Blue Bird house

Scripture

Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom… but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me.

Jeremiah 9:23–24

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

Ancient Quotes

Wisdom is not what you know, but how you live in harmony with the Divine.

Augustine of Hippo

Modern Quotes

Everything becomes sacred when we walk with God. Every leaf, every tree, every eye, and open heart… Every person becomes Beloved as we awaken in the vast wonder of God.

Bob Holmes, #dailygrace

Ordinary and Spiritual Awareness are necessary for functioning in this world. But transformation integrates them so that our ordinary awareness serves our spiritual awareness, which in turn serves divine awareness… Action grounded in divine abundance flows without regard to outcome or recognition.

Cynthia Bourgeault, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, p. 14

Journaling Prompts

• Who do you consider wise, and why?
  
  
• How do you distinguish between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom?
  
  
• What steps could you take to grow in wisdom that comes from above?
  
  
• What “thin places” help you sense God’s presence and awareness?

In the deeper levels of consciousness, you see either/or turn into both/and as you learn to hold paradox. As Luther said, I am both saint and sinner. Live into that.

👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 5 Reflection: Consciousness/Awareness