Recently, I saw on Facebook a meme that said, “Still waiting for the wisdom that was supposed to come with old age.” Certainly, the writer intended for me to laugh. Instead, the comment struck me off-center. I don’t want to reach my golden years and have only a life of folly to report.

I had a conversation with a chronologically experienced lady at church. My friends and I want to be like her when we grow up. She just shook her head when I told her that fact. So much behind her eyes told me she would love to set me straight about some things. What she said, though, has stuck with me. She said advanced age holds no magic. What we see stems from the sum of her life experiences, not the number of candles on her last cake.

I’ve reached an age where my body reminds me regularly of my waning youth. I’m young enough, however, to still consider myself basically youthful and act accordingly. Let’s just say AARP hasn’t started sending me mail. That said, how do I live so that I don’t grow old and feel like I’ve wasted my life? If age does not bring wisdom, where does wisdom come from?

The Bing.com definition of wisdom contains: “the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.”

 I think for much of my life man’s wisdom satisfied my needs. I’ve sought to use knowledge with good judgment. Terrestrial wisdom works in the absence of anything better. But I realize man’s wisdom leaves us lacking. The best wisdom the world has to offer still falls rather one-dimensional.

The Bible defines wisdom differently. James 3:17 and James 1:5 stick out to me. I don’t want to be satisfied with man’s wisdom. I want the colorful, multi-dimensional God-given kind of wisdom. Biblical wisdom encompasses more than just knowledge application. It’s about having the mind of Christ. And, you don’t have to work for it….you just ask for it. That type of wisdom leads to fulfillment instead of folly.

James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.