The book of Proverbs puts a high premium on wisdom. “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (4:7). Wisdom should even be chosen over great wealth. “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (6:16).
Wisdom is important because it is necessary for living a life that pleases God. The apostle Paul urged the Ephesians and us to live not as fools but as wise (5:15-17). Living wisely includes at least three things according to this passage. First, we must walk circumspectly or carefully. That is, we must give forethought to every step we take. We must be careful that the words we are about to speak or actions we are about to take are those that please the Lord. Second, we must use our time wisely. To redeem time is to make the best use of it to the glory of God. This also takes forethought. Last, we must understand what the will of the Lord is. God gives us the wisdom to apply Biblical knowledge to every situation of life. And in every situation, we should seek to do the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures. As my seminary professor Dr. Lawlor used to say: “Wisdom is the ability to negotiate life skillfully.” So, in 2020, may we walk carefully, making the best use of our time while doing the will of God!