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

One of the greatest AHA’S of our life came over twenty-five years ago when my wife to be Cynthia and I attended our first pre-marital advisory session that was required by our new church. Even though both of us had lived through previously failed marriages, in our very first meeting, none of this requirement business seemed to make any sense. We were introduced to a newly married man in his late twenties.  Age wise, he qualified to be our son. Although he had the title of Pastor, on the surface he seemed way too naive and/or inexperienced to serve as anyone’s “marriage advisor.” My secret question at the time, “What in the world could this guy tell me?” soon was answered.  After exchanging pleasantries, his first few paragraphs of conversation operated like a stun gun of truth.  Before us was no little kid, but Wisdom Himself speaking through him.

To this day Cynthia and I are deeply grateful to our Pastor/Counselor, Raymond Zimberlin, for the role he has played in our lives. As a matter of fact, twenty-five additional years of life’s challenges has helped develop him as an even wiser marriage advisor.  We have come to realize that this man learned very early that God is Wisdom and He is willing to share it with those who ask Him. (James:1:5). We didn’t know at the time that our young Pastor had read about an upstart King Solomon (rated as the wisest man ever) and his request for wisdom of the Lord in 1 Kings chapter 3. To come in contact with someone so young and so inexperienced, who could gather us into reality and counsel us with sound advice, was so refreshing and helpful that we know now that God had to be in on it!

Here is how all this comes to an additional benefit to us this day.  Practical moral intelligence, the kind that is in harmony with the operating system of the God of the Universe, is available to each of us.  May we pray together that by seriously studying God’s word we will all improve in doing the right thing, the right way, and in God’s timing.  Wisdom is the Spirit of God. It’s personal, focused, motivated by love for us, and forever hopeful in application.  It’s His ability in us to handle life with skill.  That family and friends is His AHA!

Have a wisdom-packed week!

James 3:17; Prov 3:13; Prov 19:20; 1 Cor 1:30

** An added feature to our special relationship with Pastor Ray — He’s been my faithful editor of this Message of Hope writing for over 17 years!