Climbing Toward Wisdom

Have you ever wondered how we came to eat certain foods and to avoid others? How did we discover that olives contained oil? How did we find out which berries were edible, and which ones were poisonous? Someone had to eat it to find out. That information was passed down to those that came after. Someone tried different ways of preparing or mixing different foods together and those recipes were passed down. Today, we have available to us a dizzying array of information, we have more information available to us than ever before. Our knowledge of our bodies and the world around us is increasing exponentially. Unfortunately, our wisdom is not increasing at the same rate.

Wisdom is more than just knowledge. We say that “knowledge is power”, and that is true, but wisdom knows how to use that power. We must learn from those who have gone before us. This is true in all aspects of our lives, but especially so in spiritual matters. It’s not only arrogant, but foolish to contemplate the way to find God in isolation from those who have pursued Him in the past.

Christian history is filled with stories of those who have pursued Him. How did they go about it? What were their lives like? Were they successful? Did their lives show evidence of the Spirit? What was the impact of their lives on those around them? We don’t have to discover a “new and improved” way to find God, or to find fulfillment for our lives. The way is mapped out for us in history, and even more clearly on the pages of Scripture.In the New Testament alone, we have a battery of stories and instructions about how to find the way to God and how to stay on the path during the rugged ascent to the City of God. It is a difficult path, and one that few find, and even fewer ascend. I believe that I am on the path. I know that I am on the lower slopes of the climb, but I can see the foot prints of those that have gone before me and I am determined to go up higher.

Finding the path was joy unspeakable, but that was the beginning of the journey and not the end. As I climb the trail I see those who have set up camp on the slopes. They are not far from the path, but they have decided that they have gone far enough. Not content to stay there alone, they invite others to join them in their camp. Some have set up stands where they are selling their wares, and their ideas. They say that the ascent is a myth. There is nothing ahead, nothing worth climbing for. This is the promised land they say. These lower slopes are the destination. It is true that there is some beauty here, and they are nearer to the One than they were before. There is some reflected radiance from the Divine Sun, but they have settled for something less than all that He has for them. If only they would climb up higher! They would see the vista start to open before them. They would see that more is offered. The climb is worth it.

I try to show them map that I carry. I show them the ancient map of ascents, but they claim it is out dated or unreliable. The map is too old to be trusted in this day and age. The risks are too large, the climb to dangerous to trust an old map. Life is good here, why move on to what we don’t know when there are so many who we can live with in comfort here. I tell them about my guide. He will safely see me home, but they can’t see him, or don’t trust him. They say that only fools and crackpots would risk life and limb for a treasure they have but glimpsed through a glass darkly. Look there is water here to drink from? Why would you want to climb up to the source when we have water here? I want more than tepid water from a stagnant pool or broken cistern. I want the cool, clear, fresh water from the fountain of life. I am dismayed that so many who have found the path are satisfied with something less than life with the guide. For the secret is that the guide is also the source. There is joy in the journey and the journey, though arduous, is worth it. Or so say the prophets and apostles. So I climb on.