Wisdom
When I think of wisdom personified I usually imagine an older person sitting in a rocking chair dispensing advice and nuggets of truth. I don't think I have ever heard someone in my generation being called wise. The term isn't used to described very many college experiences, either. I can't think of a single college that listed "gaining wisdom" as one of the benefits of their program. It was always, "Come here and you will learn how to be a good scholar," or something like that.
And yet, wisdom is incredibly valuable. When he was given the choice of anything in the world, King Solomon asked for wisdom. According to Provers, wisdom is of the same value as silver, will keep us living in safety, and enable us to preserve knowledge. Wisdom is so valuable because it cannot be created by man. Rather, it is God who gives it to us.
Wisdom has many different aspects. In her article, "Emergent Wisdom: Living Life in Widening Circles," Caroline Bassett creates a model of wisdom using four dimensions: Discerning, Respecting, Engaging, and Transforming. Wise people use discernment in their everyday lives to determine what the overall situation is and how it will affect not just them but other people as well. They show respect for others by looking at something from someone else's point of view, and by caring for others' needs. Wise people also never stop actively learning. They are always trying to engage the world around them through their interactions with people. Finally, wise people are aware of how they themselves are transforming through their role in the larger system of humanity.
As I've said before, wisdom cannot be given by man, only God gives wisdom. Practically, it is impossible to expect teachers to hand out wisdom the way they hand out assignments. Much of it must be gained through individual experience. Still, there are a couple of things the Honors Program could do to encourage the development of wisdom in students.
First, and most importantly, students should be encouraged to read the Bible. When we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to studying and applying God's word we will gain wisdom because God's word is the source of divine wisdom. This will also help us to become more discerning and respectful in our relationships with other people. I know we talk about God sometimes, but I think it would be good if it was encouraged even more in the Honors Program. That could mean anything from asking us to apply what we are learning to spiritual lives, to assigning books on theology and Christian living.
Secondly, we need to be encouraged to do things that grow and stretch us. Wisdom is gained when we do things that we thought we couldn't do. When we are actively involved and engaged in our surroundings, we will make mistakes. This will cause us to learn, though. I think the Honors Program does a good job challenging us to rise above the average standard. The program leaders try to keep us asking important questions like "What am I really learning? or "Am I just succumbing to the mediocre requirements?" This is one way to develop wisdom, especially the discerning aspect of wisdom.
The most important thing to remember is that wisdom has to be sought after. As Bassett accurately describes it, It is an ever widening series of circles that connect and overlap. We will not find wisdom in a day, or a week, or even a year, but knowing about it and seeking after it are the first steps towards gaining it.
And yet, wisdom is incredibly valuable. When he was given the choice of anything in the world, King Solomon asked for wisdom. According to Provers, wisdom is of the same value as silver, will keep us living in safety, and enable us to preserve knowledge. Wisdom is so valuable because it cannot be created by man. Rather, it is God who gives it to us.
Wisdom has many different aspects. In her article, "Emergent Wisdom: Living Life in Widening Circles," Caroline Bassett creates a model of wisdom using four dimensions: Discerning, Respecting, Engaging, and Transforming. Wise people use discernment in their everyday lives to determine what the overall situation is and how it will affect not just them but other people as well. They show respect for others by looking at something from someone else's point of view, and by caring for others' needs. Wise people also never stop actively learning. They are always trying to engage the world around them through their interactions with people. Finally, wise people are aware of how they themselves are transforming through their role in the larger system of humanity.
As I've said before, wisdom cannot be given by man, only God gives wisdom. Practically, it is impossible to expect teachers to hand out wisdom the way they hand out assignments. Much of it must be gained through individual experience. Still, there are a couple of things the Honors Program could do to encourage the development of wisdom in students.
First, and most importantly, students should be encouraged to read the Bible. When we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to studying and applying God's word we will gain wisdom because God's word is the source of divine wisdom. This will also help us to become more discerning and respectful in our relationships with other people. I know we talk about God sometimes, but I think it would be good if it was encouraged even more in the Honors Program. That could mean anything from asking us to apply what we are learning to spiritual lives, to assigning books on theology and Christian living.
Secondly, we need to be encouraged to do things that grow and stretch us. Wisdom is gained when we do things that we thought we couldn't do. When we are actively involved and engaged in our surroundings, we will make mistakes. This will cause us to learn, though. I think the Honors Program does a good job challenging us to rise above the average standard. The program leaders try to keep us asking important questions like "What am I really learning? or "Am I just succumbing to the mediocre requirements?" This is one way to develop wisdom, especially the discerning aspect of wisdom.
The most important thing to remember is that wisdom has to be sought after. As Bassett accurately describes it, It is an ever widening series of circles that connect and overlap. We will not find wisdom in a day, or a week, or even a year, but knowing about it and seeking after it are the first steps towards gaining it.
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