Hello, Wisdom. Do I need to know a lot?
A. People who know nothing often talk the most. Try being quiet for a while.
R. Well, that was hurtful.
I alluded to a key aspect of wisdom in the last post when I referenced King Solomon. Despite the choice of seemingly anything in the world, he asked for wisdom and knowledge. These two are not synonymous. I can increase in knowledge while leaving wisdom in the dust. Wisdom, however, takes a different approach and keeps close company with its peer.
Knowledge has many definitions, but for this purpose, we will lump it together with understanding. Information is the raw data we receive, and knowledge is an organizational system for using it properly. Another way to look at it is that information is the scattered points in a connect-the-dots puzzle, and knowledge is interpreting how they’re connected to make the completed picture.
A significant contribution to our information acquisition and subsequent knowledge comes from sources that have a better grasp of the topic than we do. When I was born, I didn’t teach mamma to talk. I learned to say words, form sentences, and eventually comprehend discussions through interactions with her and other people ahead of me in this regard. This concept is used in our educational system. A teacher presents meaningful information, and the student receives it, eventually translating it into workable knowledge.
Eventually, I decided there was no room for improvement and found myself speaking over others, figuratively. When I am louder than my surroundings, I cease to learn. It’s hard to accept, but I don’t have all the answers. While yammering on and on and on, I stay stagnant. I merely parrot what I already know. Only when I pause and listen do I shift from output, limited to my info bank, to input, granting me access to collective info banks. Now I have the opportunity to gather new insights about our world, better understand others, and deepen my self-awareness.
There are at least five books in the Bible that include one or more verses with a close iteration of ‘those who have ears, let them hear.’ If I’d only listened sooner. Jesus often spoke to large crowds, and I wager the scene hasn’t changed much over the years. I picture numerous side conversations among the five grand plus, either ‘correcting’ or ‘clarifying’ His lessons. I would have been foolishly guilty of both.
There is much in which I am in the dark, and listening opens the door to let in the light. Maybe my mother was on to something when she kept telling me to sit down and shut up: I just assumed it was for her benefit. Let’s put our listening ears on and make America wise.
Coming soon: Hello, Wisdom. What is my next step?
