Living Wisely in the Everyday

Welcome to day 7 of STAND OUT: 7 traits of a counter cultural life.  You can find an index of all the posts in this series here.

Today we’re wrapping up our discussion about wisdom, the foundational trait of a counter cultural life. So far, we’ve recognized our need for wisdom from above and discovered the path to true wisdom is only through God.  Now it’s time to get to the nitty gritty—the practical application of how wisdom impacts our daily pursuit of a counter cultural life.

Living wisely in the everyday is visible evidence of a counter cultural heart and life. {STAND OUT: 7 traits of a counter cultural life}

What does living wisely in the everyday look like?

Yesterday I shared four examples of what the world believes about wisdom. Today, we are going to apply Scripture to each one of these ideas and identify what God says. The Bible must be the first source of wisdom for us … and we must be committed to filtering every idea and value through the truth of God’s Word. I’ve learned when I use the Word as a filter for my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, I am far less likely to end up in a foolish mess.

Finances

“Build a good retirement package so your future will be secure.”

Let’s face it, money is a big deal for most of us. It’s a necessary part of our day-to-day lives. But sometimes {often!} the world’s view of money is in direct opposition to what God says about our finances.  I’ve heard it said our priorities are best displayed in our checkbook and calendar. How we allocate our money and our time speak volumes about what matters most to us. It is not my desire or intention to tell you how to spend your money or what percentage should be given where. Instead, I want to invite you to look beyond the dollars and cents and evaluate your heart.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21, emphasis added

The question we all need to ask and answer honestly is this: Where is my treasure?

FAMILY

“Do everything you can for your kids so they can be successful.”

We need to know what God says about family so we can do it in a way that pleases Him and brings honor to Him. I encourage you to read Ephesians 5:22-6:4 at some point today. Those verses give specific guidance about how families were intended to function and what our roles are.  But for now, I want to consider the verse before that passage:

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Ephesians 5:21

I love how Peterson writes this verse in The Message:

Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.

Courteously reverent. What a powerful phrase! What if the relationships in our families were marked by being courteous to one another and esteeming the roles each of us has? I’m guessing that would look pretty counter cultural!

The bottom line is, when it comes to family, we need to make respect for one another a primary goal!

FRIENDS

“If a relationship isn’t bringing you happiness, it’s okay to end it.”

Wow, does our world have this one messed up! How did we get to the point where we determine the value of relationships based on how they make us feel? Paul gives us a whole different view:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17

We are called to invest in relationships … even when they are hard.  Maybe even especially when they are hard.

From impatient people in the checkout lines at WalMart to drivers who are reckless in their attempts to get someplace fast, we are people who can only see ourselves. And it happens in less obvious ways too … like when we are offended because someone makes a different parenting choice than we do. Or when we fail to give the benefit of the doubt and instead take offense.

FOCUS

“You have to look out for yourself, after all, no one else will.”

I see this all. the. time. From impatient people in the checkout lines at WalMart to drivers who are reckless in their attempts to get someplace fast, we are people who can only see ourselves. And it happens in less obvious ways too … like when we are offended because someone makes a different parenting choice than we do. Or when we fail to give the benefit of the doubt and instead take offense.

Again Paul’s words serve as a reminder to us:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:3-4

In a world that says look out for yourself, we best reflect Christ when look out for others.

The pursuit of wisdom is a life-long journey. It will take effort for us to mature in this area. I think that’s why I love this verse so much:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5

We need only ask and God will give us wisdom. I don’t know about you, but that is a comfort to me.

xo,

Teri Lynne

How has God generously given you wisdom?

Need a tool to help you grow in wisdom? Check out my newest eBook, Choose Wisom: a devotional journey through Proverbs.  Click on the image below for more information and to purchase your copy.

Choose Wisdom: a devotional journey through Proverbs by Teri Lynne Underwood

 

Read the Psalms this summer with Scripture Dig!

Comments

  1. So many good points! I often find myself at odds with extended family members over finances. And I agree 100% with your thoughts on friendship!

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