Sometimes I feel so self confident. Like, "I got this. I understand how the world works and I have mastered this area." This is how I feel when I teach. The feeling is unbeatable, it is a kind of high. And sometimes I believe I deserve to feel this way. For example, "I have earned this. I am good at teaching and I can handle anything that happens or comes my way with grace and dignity."
Delusions of grandeur, anyone? Then, something difficult occurs to take me down a couple of pegs. For instance, sometimes I am thrown into a different sort of classroom like an EBD (Emotional/Behavioral Disorders) classroom. The children in these classes often have trouble adapting to having a new teacher in the classroom and react badly. I'm not generalizing all children in the EBD classes, but I've definitely seen a few instances where I was beyond my own sphere of knowledge. I've even had a child stand on a table and yell. That was definitely beyond my wisdom, especially in a world where you cannot touch a child in the schools.
The Bible talks about wisdom in James 3:13-18 It says there are basically two types of wisdom, one is worldly (unbiblical) wisdom and the second is biblical or spiritual wisdom.
The secular world's definition of wisdom is, "accumulated philosophic or scientific learning, ability to discern inner qualities and relationships, or good sense" (Mirriam Webster, 2013).
This is an example of my worldly wisdom, or knowledge being extended beyond what I have seen and dealt with before. I would even hazard to say that this is my "selfish ambition" (James 3:14) coming out and rearing its ugly head. If I get too overconfident and cocky, then God cannot shine through me. As a Christian, I am called to be humble, not confident in my own worldly wisdom, but delighting in my flaws for the sake of Christ. James 3:13 says," Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
I believe that God called me to these verses today because of my struggle for a full time teaching position. I wonder if sometimes I am overly confident in myself and not leaning on Christ Jesus enough in the area of my employment. I believe the answer to this is rhetorical.
Here is the example of the godly wisdom we all should aspire to...
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."
My prayer today is for myself. I pray that I would be pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." This is a huge order, one that can only be fulfilled by God and the Holy Spirit within me.
Amen.
"Wisdom." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wisdom>.
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