by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

Since wisdom requires thinking, it's an endangered species in this culture. It's too hard. It's much easier to just go along with the herd. Even King Solomon sought happiness in mere knowledge, hobbies, possessions and status before concluding that wisdom is of greater value than them all.

In a word, Solomon stopped pursuing and started thinking. Eventually he saw the value of thinking seriously about life, and viewing it through God's eyes.

When we become too fuzzy in our thinking to ask any profound questions, we search for happiness and significance in all the wrong places. But, as someone has said, we can live for a few minutes without air, for a few days without water, for a couple of months without food-but for a lifetime without an original thought.

I'm starting to relearn the lost art of thinking right about life. I've decided to deliberately reflect on questions like these:

What do I really believe?

Why am I doing what I'm doing?

What really has brought satisfaction to my life?

What creates pressure for me? And what does God want me to do about it?

How does my schedule reflect my ultimate values?

How will my present lifestyle affect my family in 20 years?

What does God want me to do with my life, my family and my possessions?

I'm learning that thinking can be gritty, lonesome work. God is still in the business of creating new original thoughts...life-changing ideas...innovations that will redirect our families and shape the destiny of our homes. I'm learning that real thinking is a pioneering work.

I'd like to encourage you to become an original thinker. Turn off the TV, the car radio, put down this book or your newspaper, and ponder your life. If you're like me, you'll find it's hard work. But like a lot of hard work, thinking and seeking wisdom has its rewards.

Prayer:

That God will inspire you to think His thoughts and reflect on His ways, daring to approach life with creativity and original thinking.

Discuss: How does the pace of your life allow time for reflection and thinking? What answers would you give to some of the questions above?

Would you like your own copy of this devotional?