Wise Actions

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” – James 3:13

Daniel Grothe, in his book “Chasing Wisdom” gives an analogy of wisdom and jazz:

“All great jazz musicians have at least 3 things in common:

(1) they have gone into the practice room and learned and internalized all the scales, which are simply organized sequences of notes, until they can play them forward and backward;

(2) they have put in the time to learn all the standard jazz songs (in jazz parlance, they’ve “learned the book”); and

(3) they can play every one of those standards in any key. “Oh, you want me to play Duke Ellington’s ‘Take the A Train’ in C?” No problem! “How ’bout we play ‘A Night in Tunisia’ in D?” You got it.
“Hey, man, you good with playing Brubeck’s ‘Take Five’ in E-flat minor?” Sure thing. If these three things are in place—knowing all the scales and all the songs in any key—a great jazz musician can walk into any club, on any night, in any city, and be ready to play. Living a life of wisdom is a lot like becoming a great jazz soloist. As counterintuitive as it may seem, we have to practice for spontaneity.

We have to do our homework ahead of time, so we’re able to creatively improvise when the moment arises. A life of wisdom is about learning to think on our feet, about learning to be responsive to the actual conditions of life.”

Do you want to gain wisdom? Then follow Jesus and let your life be flowing with good deeds that glorify him.

“Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty… acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.” – J.I. Packer

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness” – Titus 2:7