Exploring Solomon's Writings
Dive Deeper Into Wisdom
I have loved reflecting on Solomon’s writings in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. I think you will, too.
Bob Lonac 
Wisdom Starts with a Discerning Heart
Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.
I've been getting a lot of good comments on my last newsletter! One of my friends sent an email and reminded me that we sat together for a year in a leadership development class when I was the Area Director for Young Life in San Jose.
It was taught by a volunteer committee member named George Fergeson. I did not normally sit in on these sessions because they were for college freshman wanting to be volunteer Young Life leaders. But I was so taken by George’s teaching on Proverbs I came every week that year.
Since then, I have loved reflecting on Solomon’s writings in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. These are a few of the verses that have helped me along my journey:
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
I know patience is a virtue that God wants to instill in my heart. Every time I see that word in the scriptures (above are a few examples), it jumps out at me. I know I am not too good at actually being patient.
The fact that I know in my mind that I want to be a more patient person hasn’t always made me such a person. I have read every passage on patience in the Bible. I have studied what they really meant. I have talked with Kathleen about wanting to be more patient. I have memorized Ecclesiastes 7:8 and thought about it a lot.
And each time I feel myself getting impatient, I turn to God and ask Him to do the work that needs to be done.
While I’m still a work in progress, learning about being patient has helped. These days, my heart is quieter, and I am finding it easier to take time to listen and consider before I react. It’s amazing what a difference turning to God can make.
