Dangerous or just big

“Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” It’s not often one is asked this kind of question…and by someone so wealthy and so powerful they can actually give you whatever you ask for! But almost more amazing than the question was the answer…”give me wisdom and knowledge.” These words come from God’s interaction with Solomon in 2 Chronicles and the first time I read this I decided that, although there were many things I could ask for, I would strive to ask for wisdom.
Kevin who led our Monday morning devotion this week shared how that his father encouraged him to read Proverbs on a regular basis (much of it written by Solomon) and seek the wisdom to live the kind of disciplined life that results in a productive and joy-filled life. He went on to read James 3:13-18 which contrasts the wisdom we need as opposed to the wisdom of this world. The primary difference is the humility that comes from the right kind of wisdom results in good relationships, good deeds and a good life.
As I took a few minutes out of the hectic week to drive over to visit the Halo Trust camp site with Jeff, an ex-military man with 18 years of service and three tours of duty under his belt, I had an experience that left me with a life lesson. Halo Trust is de-mining in our area and according to the man we talked with; they have lifted over a hundred mines (mostly anti-personnel mines) in this immediate area. An area I should say I have spent a fair amount of time walking around in oblivious to the potential danger. One of the things Jeff did during his military service was de-mining, so he was interested to see what was happening in our area, and so the reason for the visit.
As we visited and the man got to know Jeff a little and his history, he wanted to get Jeff’s email so he could keep in contact. As Jeff squatted to write his email address on the paper provided, one of the chickens (kept for supper since there was no refrigeration in the camp), ran to where Jeff was and promptly lay down under his leg. Now Jeff is a big man and could be intimidating to someone who doesn’t know him. To this little chicken he must have looked like a giant.
It occurred to me that maybe this little chicken could sense the gentle and compassionate heart of this big man and as a result felt no fear. If you could have witnessed, as I and the rest of the team did, the way Jeff reached out to a little crippled boy in the community and fabricated a crutch out of the scraps around the farm, you would have seen the wisdom James speaks of.

The wisdom to know when something is dangerous or just big is a good thing. And so often when we mix these up we shrink back from the big challenges in life. Here on the mission we are facing some of these big things; with Rick and Heather trying to overcome the challenge of Tendai’s paperwork so they can make final furlough plans, and with us facing the unknown with Mozambique’s civil aviation authority being in confusion after terrible corruption and a complete personnel change over. There are many big things that threaten…but with God we can rest in the shadow of the giant :). We just gotta ask for wisdom and know He will give it.