"We know that all things work for good for those who love God."
I think that's probably true of these words Paul shares with the Romans. Our presider also stressed the value of wisdom in our faith lives. It brought to mind a simple, yet effective and useful Venn diagram shared with me during a class this past week.
The wise mind is where our rational and emotional minds meet. When we discern, we want to operate from our wise minds. This (and I would venture to say, more than often) means that it takes more than one person to find the wisdom in any situation. It reminds us of the value of listening and humility, too. When we live lives of wisdom, listening, and humility, then, yes, we can trust the goodness of God at work in our lives. This also brought to mind a favorite Mary Oliver poem called Mysteries, Yes. Because even when we value wisdom, listening, and humility in our search for and love of God, we have to remember that, still, this is all one great Mystery!
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
Perhaps this is true wisdom!
Let us walk in the holy presence.
The wise mind is where our rational and emotional minds meet. When we discern, we want to operate from our wise minds. This (and I would venture to say, more than often) means that it takes more than one person to find the wisdom in any situation. It reminds us of the value of listening and humility, too. When we live lives of wisdom, listening, and humility, then, yes, we can trust the goodness of God at work in our lives. This also brought to mind a favorite Mary Oliver poem called Mysteries, Yes. Because even when we value wisdom, listening, and humility in our search for and love of God, we have to remember that, still, this is all one great Mystery!
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
Perhaps this is true wisdom!
Let us walk in the holy presence.
