Practice (and kind of funny) Wisdom

So much of the wisdom we learn in the book of Proverbs is practical, contextual, and refreshingly direct. For instance, take a look at these two verses:

• Those who bless their neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning shall be counted as cursing. - Proverbs 27:14

• Don’t talk to idiots. They’ll hate you because you sound smart. - Proverbs 23:9

You might think that it’s always good to bless people - Nope! You’ve got to read the room… and if your roommate is asleep, no matter how good your blessing is, it’s going to be taken as a curse.

And then there’s the practical guidance to avoid certain conversations. You know the type - the political ones that are going to get heated or the theological ones that are going to end with someone calling someone else a heretic. Of course, curiosity virtually always leads to good conversations. Just like receptivity virtually always means that a kind word will be received as a blessing.

So today, ask the Spirit for wisdom to discern the context of the different situations you’re going to run into. Ask for the grace to read the room, to discern openness, and to be self-aware of your own motives as you engage with others.