Heart-Wisdom

"Well, it's time to be wise; wise in the ways of the heart. . . ." -Vienna Teng


Wise.

I have always wanted to be wise. I have always aspired to be astute; to have great maturity; to do what is right above what is easy, and do it with the deepest satisfaction. I know which things are wise in life; I know wise answers.

But is Wisdom really about knowing what is best, or could it be more about doing what is best? Because I know many things that are best; that which I should do to better my heart. I know many things that are satisfactory; those which fill me with good things.

However, does the heart naturally do what is wise? Absolutely not. We have all heard the verse slammed down on any situation of emotional confusion: "The heart is evil above all things!"And sometimes, our hearts condemn themselves, continually pounding: "Evil! Evil! Evil!" when our emotions are confused; when our feelings pull at the threads and peel off the layers on the surface that once conveyed "Established" and "Secure" and "Wise".

I am not disputing that the heart is evil; I am not denying the total depravity of man; but outside (or perhaps it's better said, "inside") the label of "Evil", really the human heart reveals itself as simply ridiculous; the simplest of fools. It may even grow to know Wisdom, contrasted by its own foolishness, and yet it will still slip away into its own ludicrous complications; its own eventual demises. To come out and say that the heart is just plain stupid may actually be saying something, well, wise.

"To do what is right before what is easy": to both wise and stupid heart, that is a painful thing-- ripping out parts of ourselves that abuse us; constricting things that overwhelm us; sifting out the gritty pieces that rub us raw (or waiting until they have scrubbed us smooth). To do what is right before what is easy: not just to know it; not just to say it; but to do it? This is where hearts are rent and feelings scream; where the stupidity of the heart is tempted to decide that it is better to sink into depression and self-pity, excusing itself by its penitence of self-denial; where hearts tell themselves "I'm just a victim," and find loopholes to return to the comfortable place that soothes the need rather than filling it.

But if the heart will persevere to the completion of the task, to do what is wise beyond the knowledge of its good, there is the actual Good. Knowledge of Good does little to better a person or align our hearts with God's. But the acting out and insistent pursuance of Wisdom and her ways leads our hearts out of their inherent evil and into the manifestation of Good.

To do what is Wise is not self-deprivation left in a sad emptiness of what was. To do what is Wise requires discipline that hews out the harmful that we may be filled with that which gives Fullness of Life. The Spirit of God cannot dwell in a house already full. He says to "Get Wisdom": Wisdom which helps create a clean & open place for His Presence to dwell-- but even more, helps maintain the home that he may come settle in deep; that God may settle and stay.

Get Wisdom.

I want Wisdom, in its truest form: Wisdom that does what it knows & says. I want the bravery to do the things which must be done. Did you know Wisdom takes Courage? Of course it does. I could type out Wisdom and proverbs without ever daring anyone or anything, least of all myself. But to act with Wisdom takes the greatest valour of all.

I want the Wisdom to believe that I am not depriving myself of what I desire; rather, I am desiring what is best, that in the end, I am not deprived.

I long to be heart-wise.

-L.E.