Wisdom Given

Bible Study

Scripture 1 Corinthians 12:8a

I have been reminded recently that when we suffer loss and we grieve, God grieves with us.

When I was younger I thought that meant God gives us strength when we need it.

Maturity does have definite advantages because I now know that God grieving with us means IN us. The Spirit is IN us. I knew that when I was younger but emotionally I hadn’t connected all the dots.

1 Corinthians 12:8a tells us, “to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom”.

The whole truth is that when we accept God Jesus in our lives it means God Jesus Spirit are in us. At all times God Jesus Spirit are in us.

It seems like the wisdom component is a conundrum…at least it was for me when I was younger. Life was so very fast when I was younger. I missed the point because I was going at warp speed.

Today my body and my brain no longer travel at warp speed. That might sound sad but really, it isn’t.

As we age our bodies slow down the pace and our brain is holding onto a lot of data, memories, happiness, and grief. It’s like a really complex maze that we no longer run through.

I think there is a reason for that.

This week I lost a nephew. I hadn’t lived near him for years but I did see pictures. I saw his children and I knew he was looking for a new job.

When the tragedy happened memories of him as a child and a younger man came flooding back to me.

He was funny and outgoing as a child and a young man.

I remember him.

I prayed for everyone who was grieving.

In the midst of all of that I read today’s scripture which was already selected. Previously I thought this lesson would simply be about the wisdom of God, but God knew all along what was “to come”.

God the Spirit reminded me today as I sit writing that while we are grieving the loss, my nephew is healed.

He is running and laughing in fields of clover (my family is Irish) and he is happy.

We will miss him but he is safe and secure in a glorious place.

We will see him again.

In Seminary we pontificated what heaven is like and we all had different ideas. I’ve read accounts of several who have been given a glance but have been snatched back to earth.

I do believe it is a safe refuge.

It is a place of love…pure love.

In the interim when we remember and the great sadness comes over us for those who have gone before we can sit with God Jesus Spirit and momentarily we can experience great love and peace IN us. Even if it’s just for five seconds we will have some idea what those who have gone before experience continually.

And so…we are thankful.

I am so very thankful for the wisdom given by the Spirit of the living God within.

Deborah

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