"For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." (Proverbs 2:10-11 TNIV)
I simply treasure reading. I have no personal preferences in reading, but I am more inclined to certain types of books. My love of reading is matched only by my love of music. Like reading, I am somewhat eclectic in my music preferences. I have grown up listening to music from all types of genres. I guess I am not unlike many others who have managed to accrue a variety of tastes for things of life that are seasoned with experience and reflection. Angst and joy, trial and triumph, joy and sadness... Whatever it may be, I seem to be drawn to it.
I think to a large degree this stems from my insatiable hunger to learn more about life - my own and others'. Now I must admit that I am not as open to that knowledge as others would prefer me to be. In some cases, I must be willing to admit that the knowledge provided is laced with personal bias and preference (but then again, so is mine). Sometimes the knowledge that people give is really nothing more than personal ambition mixed with vanity. Recognizing that, means that I must be willing to admit that not all knowledge is worthy of possessing. In fact, some knowledge can be damaging to our personal character. Instead of granting us safe passage from moment to moment, it actually can endanger us. Now I recognize that what I see as dangerous may not be what others see as dangerous. For instance, what some call "art and expression" - others call pornography. What some call "following your heart", others call abandonment. What some embrace as "not being restrained by anyone" - others call adultery. And what some identify as "taking care of myself" - others call betrayal. In the end, I must be willing to accept that what I understand about knowledge is not necessarily someone else's position. Likewise, I must be willing to admit that likely someone is wrong.
The promise of Proverbs 2 is that if we search for insight and understanding as if it were a treasure to be found, we will find it. We can be confident that the up front work is worth it, but that it is hard work. Many people want to "know" God's will for their lives, but they are not really willing to search out that will. They pray for a few days, but get nothing. So because of this, they stop searching. For others, they survive off the low hanging fruit of emotional rescue they find in worship music or special events, only to starve for any real nourishment from the Tree of Life.
A person must work the field.
They must tend the garden.
They most labor for knowledge.
They must be willing to do the hard work. The promise is that when they do gain the wisdom for which they are searching - the reward will be far more valuable than the effort to gain it.
Some time back, my son saw someone do a front flip off the side of the pool into the water. He was hooked. All he wanted to do was flip. But in the earliest stages he met with resistance. Personal fear, lack of experience, and confidence impaired him. But he just kept at it. Every chance he got, that's what he did. And to be honest - it scared me. Not just that he nearly clipped his head every time, but that he was so consumed with it. Everyday, every chance, every pool there he was trying to flip. You know what happened - with work he learned how to flip.
With work and pursuit, we will gain Wisdom. But the Wisdom is not something we just get. It happens because God certainly rewards those who press into Him and do the hard work know Him better.
Soli Deo Gloria
"He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son." (Proverbs 10:5 TNIV)