LifeThought: Seek wisdom like you would look for a lost child

Now is the time for you to seek wisdom like you would look for a lost child. — Andy Andrews

How wise are you? Do you seek wisdom in your life? If not, it’s time to start seeking!

Andy Andrews goes on to say: “Don’t be like average people. Most folks look for their car keys with more energy than they search for the wisdom that can change their lives.” (from The Noticer Returns)

In this “I want it now” culture, we prefer microwave ovens over slow cookers, we prefer buying with credit cards instead of saving to pay with cash, and we value intelligence over wisdom. That’s right, I just said we value intelligence over wisdom and that is backwards from how it should be!

As a father, I very much want my sons to be smart, well educated. I very much enjoy when another adult tells me I have “smart boys.” It pleases me even more when someone tells me I am raising “fine young men.” But what truly fills my heart with joy is when someone says of one of my sons, “your son is very wise.” I’ll take wise over smart everyday!

There are many different definitions of the word “wisdom,” and I’ll leave it to you to look those up. However, the definition I like the most and think is the best is this: Wisdom is the ability to look into the future and see the consequences of today’s actions.

You can be extremely well educated and still be unwise. You can be “smart” and still be stupidly impulsive. Conversely, an uneducated person can be wiser than a genius. Being smart may mean that you have extensive knowledge about something, but being wise is knowing how to use what knowledge you have in a way that produces the best long-term outcome. Being wise means thinking beyond the immediate and taking the time to think about the future consequences of what you are about to do.

Wisdom was the gift that God gave to Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. God didn’t necessarily make Solomon the smartest man ever, but He gave Solomon wisdom to make decisions that, perhaps, didn’t make the most immediate sense, but had the best long-range outcome.

Every morning, during my quiet time, I ask God to give me wisdom. I don’t ask Him to make me smarter, or wealthier. I ask for wisdom to use the right words and make the right decisions today that will have the greatest impact on myself and others in the future.  You see, I am raising two sons who very much need me to be wise more than they need me to be smart or wealthy.

What about you? Are you seeking wisdom? Is it your desire to slow down, reduce impulsive decisions, and think about the future consequences of today’s actions?

Proverbs 4:7 says “Get wisdom, though it cost all you have…” Now is the time for you to seek wisdom like you would look for a lost child.


This is one of my daily “LifeThoughts” posts. If you enjoyed this, or any of my other posts, I’d be honored if you’d share it with your friends and followers!

Do you agree or disagree with what I’ve written? I’d love to hear your comments!

3 thoughts on “LifeThought: Seek wisdom like you would look for a lost child

  1. Kate

    Thanks Bruce. I totally agree with what you’re saying. It wasn’t so long ago that I didn’t know that there was a difference between intelligence and wisdom. As you say it’s all in the application of what you know to situations that happen in life. Your own wisdom never ceases to amaze me! I aspire to become as wise, and I’m working towards a better understanding of life, people and myself. (not necessarily in that order) :))

  2. Clementine

    Thank you for the thought. I found it eye opening. I also want to work towards that kind of thinking in life and place long term results of a moment’s excitement.

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