Reason vs. Wisdom, the Battle for Your Life

I stood at the dryer, folding my clothes. Dreaming. Cozy-warm shirts and socks matched the thoughts airing in my brain. High ambitions, wild ideas, and sweet hopes I couldn't put into words. 

Do you ever catch a couple voices arguing inside your head? Me too. This brain of mine is a battleground - voices parrying here and there, some defending, some attacking. And apparently whispering dreams are worthy of attack. Hey, hold on a sec, Reason countered my dreams. Before I chase mountain-top achievements and wild-eyed fancies I need to get my life under control. 

I nodded internally. Sounds legit.

No. 

A new voice flew by, chasing Reason down. 

I need to let Jesus have control of my life. And this newcomer tackled Reason with a bold twist of her own words. I'm pretty sure it was the Holy Spirit.

That, my friends, was World Reason vs. Wisdom - a classic battle.

I need to get my life under control became I need to let Jesus have control of my life.

This taking, this getting.... it clashes against the giving. The letting. 

Reason said I need to soldier through with my current tasks before I can chase whatever wild things I wish for my future. Reason said, learn to master your life; be in control of it. Then you will be strong enough and free enough to chase your dreams.

Wisdom said I need to surrender. I need to give up control and self defense, baring myself to the power of Christ. To obediently walk His path. Wisdom said, learn to loose your life. Then God's strength will carry you beyond your wildest dreams and into glory. Chase Christ. 

Remember my internal nod at the voice of reason? It's sad but true. World Reason sounds mighty becoming when it's the only force on the playing field. She sounds true - noble, even. 

And if the Holy Spirit and His Wisdom hadn't shown up, I probably would have followed reason. 

I'm a gullible girl, okay? And that's why it's vital for me to be saturated with the Word of God. His Word is where I find wisdom. His word sharpens my ears to His voice. His word is where I find nourishment so I don't gorge myself on empty world-junk-food.

His word is vital to me. 

Without it I pick up this life I've laid down and start hacking it around, chipping off corners and slicing into others. Without God's Word to show me how to lay down my life, I try to control it myself.

So, the Bible. And the Holy Spirit. And Wisdom. They're The Big Deal, guys. 

Chase them down for all you're worth. Lay down your life and chase Christ.

Because Christ? He. Is. Your. Life.

The God behind my heartsfire

    Slightly bewildered, I scratched "start Bible study for 
girls" in a square marked for March of the year I would be nineteen
years old.  A five year plan seemed pretty far-fetched to me.  At fifteen
years old, I was starting to test out of classes for college, and was trying
to pull together my life purpose in order to decide on a degree.  After some
prayer and further incredulous scratching, I soon forgot my five year plan.

   My life calling became an afterthought as the days slipped by and
untrodden distractions became worn paths.  The idea of a Bible study faded
into a mist as I took step after shaky step, eyes blindfolded, hands
groping.  It was hard to walk forward without a destination, and I often
cried out to God, asking where He was taking me with this journey - this one
life I was given to live.

   One Wednesday night, months later, my wondering and groping pulled a fantastic stunt by God's power and became wonder at God's plan and a heart gasping at the brightness in front of my unveiled eyes.  Casually, my little sister mentioned that she and two of her friends wanted to have a Bible study.  My heart remembered, and beat into flame a new hope.  How often, may I ask, do you catch wind of three girls itching for a Bible study of their own accord?

   What she said next tossed a wave of extremely flammable material into my heart's fire.  The girls, she said, thought I should lead their Bible study.

    The glow from my blazing heart illuminated the old forgotten dreams.  I saw
that they were beautiful, matured, and ready to be pulled off the shelf and
put to use working for God's glory. Then in my new glowing heart, I felt
what cannot be described - God sent a wind of His peace.  I nearly exploded
with joy and disbelief, coupled with a presiding sense of extreme
thankfulness and awe at a God who is indeed faithful to work everything for
my good and to the glory of His name.

   When I recorded my skeptical dreams and goals, I felt so incapable of
fulfilling them.  In my own way I entrusted them to God by throwing up my
hands and telling Him that if he actually wanted me to follow through with
my half-hearted plans, He was going to have to make a way.  Being the
amazingly fantastical God He is, He took me up on that little mustard seed
of faith I offered Him and now I squint up at a spreading tree, throwing up
my hands again in trust.

   This time I'm trusting Him to keep the fire in my heart going.  I'm
trusting Him to be my only inspiration as I plan and organize His Bible
study.  I'm trusting Him to give me words that resonate with these girl's
hearts. 

   This time, though, my mind is etched with the fire He lit and the
tree He grew. 

   And this time I'm expecting so much more because I know what
He has done and because He is the Great. I. Am.