LIVE WELL, LIVE WISELY
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There’s something to be said for staying hungry!
But, is that foolishness? Is it living well? Living wisely?
Well, it depends upon what you are hungry FOR!
To live wisely and well, I find I must remain hungry for soul food!
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Yes, the kind of soul food you find in the healthy section of a grocery store helps, but that’s not all!
It’s not the kind of soul food you find deep fried …
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The soul food for which I hunger is found in the soul-finder, the heart stimulant, the words of Scripture.
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My go-to Bible is The Message, by Eugene H. Peterson. This brilliant theologian recently died (like within the month)… what a loss! His translated words of the Bible speak to me. I hunger for the messages translated into everyday English – helping me learn ways to live well, and live wisely. Here is a perfect example:
James 3:13-18
“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live; not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom – it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.”
Live well. Live Wisely.
I ask myself:
Is your life an open book?
Can anyone open the pages and take a look?
Are there hidden pockets tucked inside?
Times you’ve cheated, fudged, or lied?
Is there mean-spirited ambition
Hidden in the corners of your heart?
Do you claw your way to the top
Instead of helping others get a start?
Do you ever boast and boost yourself,
Trying to look smarter than you are?
Are you hot one day and cold the next,
Playing the golf of life well over par?
Do you sow discontent or seeds of envy
By flaunting talents, putting others down?
Or are you humble, discreet and honest?
Do you cause a smile instead of a frown?
Living well includes treating yourself
With honor and true respect,
Giving others the credit they deserve, and
Sharing with love more than they expect.
Do you see a neighbor in dire need?
Do you step up to lend a hand?
Part of living wisely and living well
Is finding the gold nuggets in the sand.
Search for beauty among the ugly.
Look beyond the outer shell.
Share your heart and soul with abandon…
Then you’ll know you’re living well.
Are you living well and wisely?
Comments on: "Live Well, Live Wisely" (3)
Jan what a good post! Great challenge to really pay attention to not only what we do but why we do things. Something I certainly need to work on!
This post is a wonderful example of pouring ourselves out in service to others, which I strive to emulate. When the love of God becomes our driving influence, our words and service are received as the sweet essence of heaven. I truly felt that these wise words were delivered for my benefit. Blessings.
And for mine, too. Thank you!