what is your DESIRE?

As I was reading my morning Proverb for the day, I was reminded by God the need for a continuous desire to have His wisdom in my life. Proverbs chapter 4 is an awesome reminder about the importance of wisdom. In fact, as a reminder to me, my car’s license plate number is PR 410 (Proverbs 4:10) “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.” I don’t know about you, but this is a propostion worth going after.

Although Proverbs 4:10 is one of my signature Bible verses, it is the 5 verses leading to verse 10 that say it all; “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she (wisdom) will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”

Many of us confuse knowledge with wisdom. I know a lot of smart people that are unable to do the right thing. Knowledge is knowing what to do and wisdom is actually doing the right thing. Wisdom cannot be attained alone. I’ve often heard that you can tell a person’s wisdom and character by the people they hang with, the books they read and the television they watch. I often smile to myself when someone says “I don’t like to read.” I bet that I have over 500 books in my personal library at my home and office and most of them have been read by me…and I HATE to read. But I have a unbelievably strong desire to attain wisdom; so I read!

This past week I met with one of my mentors, Mike Slaughter, who is the lead pastor and visionary at Ginghamsburg church. I was sharing with him a book I am reading by Jim Collins “Why The Mighty Fall.” Right in mid-sentence Mike gets up, opens his door and says to his secretary; “please order Jim Collins’ newest book for me.” Then he sits back down and we continue to chat. For some reason I thought it interesting that Mike showed such a desire towards learning. Afterall, he is 57 years old and has done just about everything in his ministry including the writing of several books. But when you scan his office you see hundreds of books on shelves and 2 or 3 “current reads” that are laying on his desk. Mike Slaughter has an unbelievable desire to continue to grow in his wisdom.

The longer I live the more I am able to nail down the difference between successful Christians (free from bondage and rich in wisdom and the fruits of the Spirit) and the not-so-successful Christians (bound to something or someone, rich in knowledge but unhealthy actions and poor fruit). As Christians, we all have the same God and access to him and his powers, 24/7 through the power of the Holy Spirit. The successful Christians simply have a stronger desire in accessing the power of the Holy Spirit and the subsequent wisdom and freedom that comes along with it.

What is interesting is the first requirement in all 12 Step programs is to simply have the “desire” to stop doing whatever we are in bondage to. It does not say we need to stop drinking or drugging, we simply need to have the “desire” to stop.

I have found my desire for wisdom and freedom from bondage is fueled by my prayer time, the people I hang with, the books I read and the television I watch. When I am praying consistently (sometimes I pray for desire), hanging with solid Christians, reading the Bible as well as solid learning books and limiting TV to good stuff (news channels are bad, bad, bad) I have a stronger desire to do “right” and subsequently live in peace. When I start hanging with the wong people and putting garbage from books and television in my head my desire seems to weaken.

On this 4th of July, I think back 233 years ago when a group of men sat in a room and decided it was time to fight for our freedom as given to us from God. I am sure many people throughout the years had the same thoughts, but this group decided it was the right thing to do and acted on it. I have a feeling they had more “desire” than the rest and collectively along with God had the wisdom to do the right thing. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Don’t ever take for granted the freedom you have living in the United States and never lose the desire for the freedom God makes available to you through seeking his wisdom in all you do.

P.E.A.C.E.