Wisdom that is first of all pure

A proverb says that the glory of the youth is in their strength while that of the old is in their grey hair. So as time has passed, wisdom has been highly associated with aged people. I can decipher that it’s because wisdom comes with a lot of experience.

But wait a minute. James was talking about two kinds of wisdom. I’m gonna shake it a little and make it real to us. There’s wisdom that is first of all arrogant, then attached to age, application of knowledge, how much you know, successful, wealthy, extraordinary, flabberwhelming and sincere.

Then there’s wisdom that is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

The wisdom that will get you to the top of your game faster than you can imagine is the first one. You won’t have a problem being very competitive and success oriented. This wisdom will sacrifice a lot to be at the top including family. It will ‘say its mind, whether you like it or not’. This wisdom thinks, ‘your  Christianity should not be taken for stupidity’. I however didn’t forget to add that it is sincerely foolish. It only comes with envy and strife. It is what makes some people always say, ‘I know more than you so be quiet’.

The second one is that one for babies. Yes, only babies can afford to be this ‘gogomu’, ‘didirin’, ‘swegbe’, ‘dr. dende’. It’s the wisdom that allows one to talk while you act. This wisdom thinks twice before it talks. It is not so eager to be at the limelight, it will rather be quiet because it understands that silence is the best answer for a fool. Silence communicates volume. It will take time for you to get to the top with it, but you’ll be sure to look younger when you get there. What kind of wisdom will require you to submit? This one. This is sincerely worth it.

I bring to us two kinds of wisdom. The wisdom of heaven and earth. The former was what God operated with when He made the heavens and the earth, now see where we are. It was what made Christ die on the cross so we can call ourselves free. For a moment, the devil thought he was wise enough to pull the stunt of killing and destroying forever the king of glory. Little did he know that the plan of the Father was to raise His Son three days later. Oh! How furious he was! And how sincerely foolish!

Wives, submit to your husband because it is the wise thing to do. Husbands love your wife because it’s the wise thing to do. Parents, be considerate to your children because it is the wise thing to do. Children, listen to your parents because it is the wise thing to do. Whenever you want to do something, cross- check it with the wisdom of your choice before you move on.

To my friend, Shaki

To my friend, Shaki.

Every morning since the year started, I’ve had a fresh cause to thank God. People are poor! I have a friend called Shaki, who lost her dad last April, and is yet to enter the university. Today, she said I’m not feeling the subsidy removal because I have all the food I need at home. I laugh. I can’t defend myself because I am rich, rather my parents are rich. I want to help her- I want to tell her that she should focus on getting a degree and not let any boy use her anyhow. I know she has a good head resting on her shoulders.

Shaki, thank you for letting me see how privileged I am. I haven’t had the opportunity to skip a meal because I was utterly broke. I haven’t had to drop out of school because I didn’t pay for school fees. I know there have been times at home where it was because of goodwill, my school let me stay till I paid. I did not have go to a school where my uniforms and textbooks were for free. I’m in my fourth year in the university; I speak good English because I grew up in a contained environment. My grandfather retired as a judge, my grandmother as a high school teacher, my mom’s late father as an engineer and her mom is still an efficient house grandma!

I know that all these do not ultimately make me and it’s up to me to make it in my own life, but you see I was born with a silver spoon and it is making things easier. I thank You Lord for sparing my parents and siblings- it has given me the sweetest childhood any child would want. The difference between me and that crack addict is the fact that her parents got divorced at a young age while mine have remained together for 27years and counting. I am grateful and do not take for granted that my dad never lost his job. There were times when we did not have a car to transport us but we did not utterly fall, even if it was just by a strand that we were saved. We’ve been living in our house for over 10 years- this means that my dad never had to pay rent to any landlord; we never got eviction notices or run-down landlords. Am I better than any of these people who don’t have what I have?

At times I get scared of that stone that will hit my glass wall from outside and cause my world to turn upside down- a broken heart, a deceased parent, a miscarriage, a re-sit or repeat examination- but I can only trust in You, God. Job waited for disaster and got it. I’m not oblivious to suffering because it creates a different kind of supernatural strength but in my lofty comfort, I’m grateful that You are good. I love You and I appreciate the grace You’ve given me. I pray that I do not let the comfort of the world you’ve allowed me to have to get into my head and make me think that that is what makes a man prosperous. I ask for wisdom to be friends with people not in my position – to respect and love them like you would. I ask for the grace to know when I should give to people who need my help. I pray for the wisdom to be a blessing to anybody that comes my way and not let my ‘perfectly carved world’ rub me of my greatness. Help me to discover myself and be used for Your glory.

I am grateful.

Thank you again Shaki.

Thank You Lord.

Yours truly,

Ore e tooto.