(1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NLT) When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the One who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
For some strength comes easy, others hope to be stronger but what if our human weakness is instead a blessing from God? Have you ever been around a person that knows just what to say, without hesitation? They leave the impression that surely they are wise and it is true they have practiced and trained their whole lives. From grade school, through high school and college, and they have been encouraged by people’s responses, especially now that they are adults in the work place. For their efforts has rewarded them well but in all of that you have to wonder did they ever stop to ask what God’s plan is?
Those who wish they were like the group I just mentioned but can’t quite pull off the quick responses should stop striving and think about this. Maybe, just maybe God is holding their tongue and maybe God has a better way for their lives then those who are considered wise by the world. With me wisdom seems to come the next morning, by then everyone has said their part and conclusions have been drawn and the group is ready to move on to the next subject. What I have failed to see in these situations is that God definitely is providing His direction for my life but it seems as if He has no interest in entering this type of debate. I have even prayed for quicker responses because this “morning wisdom” I reason, would benefit everyone or am I more concerned about making myself look more important, sometimes it is a toss-up. Debates I don’t enjoy but writing I do and I think this is the reason... it gives me time to listen – something that is difficult to do when your mouth is always open.
(Matthew 7:6 NLT) "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”
I am left feeling as if these nuggets of wisdom are meant for those who purposely slow down to listen. The ones with quick responses don’t really listen beyond what is required for their rebuttal. There are however, two occasions when I surprise myself by speaking my mind, one I regret to say is when I am angry but the other is when I am filled with passion. These times happen in degrees depending on how far I’ve been pushed or how passionate I am about a particular subject. I have had times when indignation came over me and drove me as if I had no other choice but to speak out but those times are almost always with another individual or small group that shows they know how to listen and are interested in learning and can usually be described as a God moment. The times I speak out in anger almost always turns into an argument and I usually end up regretting the things that I felt just had to be said, even if truth is spoken the delivery of it diffuses the message and it desensitizes that person’s ability to receive truth in the future, especially from me. These are the times I need to do more listening than speaking and tread lightly, remembering who’s I am. I do not need to speak in defense of myself for it is much better if God defends me and leads me on what to do next. When I speak for my own defense I not only wish I hadn’t but I also lose God’s direction, leaving me lost and looking for hope. Over the years I have learned to be thankful that wisdom comes slowly, many times I’ve learned the best response is, “I need to pray and think about it and get back to you.” This way the pressure is taken off of me and the credit goes to God – I have learned that it is ok to let my weakness show because those are the best times to hear God’s direction and the times I have done this I have never walked away wishing I would have had a quick response.
