WISDOM FOR DISTINCTION

Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed – Ecclesiastes 8:1

“Who is like a wise man?...” The wise person is distinct, outstanding, and unique. There is a Wisdom for Distinction and Shining! Distinction means: being unique, uncommon, and excellent; being your best in God, and outstanding in your field! The alternative is to be ordinary, average, or mediocre. God wants us His children to “Go for Distinction” because we were, by creation and redemption, designed for distinction. We were ordained to operate by the Covenant of Distinction. God’s plan and purpose is that we “shine as lights in the world” (Phil.2:15). Wisdom will make your “face to shine” (Eccl.8:1). Wisdom will establish you as the “light of the world. A city that is set on a hill...” that cannot be hidden (Mt.5:14).

God’s Wisdom will direct you to distinction. It will motivate you to run for the eternal Prize: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1Cor.9:24); and to presson and  ‘reach forth’ (Phil.3:14). Wisdom will empower you to ‘Go for Gems’: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field”(Mt13:44). Wisdom will instruct you to always ‘Build with Gold’: “Now if anyone builds on this foundation GOLD, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest…”  (1Cor.3:12-13).

The alternative to Wisdom is Foolishness. Wisdom leads to distinction; foolishness brings to shame. Foolishness is the assumption that one can live entirely independent of God: “the fool has said in his heart, “There is no God”…” (Psa. 14:1a). Foolishness is for a person to think that he can do what he wills and have what he wants according to his pleasure, power, money or influence, without any human check or divine restraint. Foolishness in our modern world is imagining that we are autonomous, and that even without God “everything is possible” with us. Self is at the centre of the fool’s universe: living as though God were not, and as though wisdom did not beckon. Beloved, remember the rich fool and be wise (Lk.12:16-21).

Your choice of Wisdom and rejection of foolishness will bring you to distinction. When you make the pursuit of Wisdom your priority; when you exalt and embrace wisdom, she will promote you and bring you honour (Pro. 4:7–8). God will give you “a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (Lk. 21:15). Amen!