In the book Craftsmen author John Crotts makes a strong point, “You will never accidentally run a marathon. You will never just happen to become a doctor. In the same way, you will never accidentally become wise.” (p 142)
A runner trains for months, even years, to run a marathon. A person studies years to become a doctor, logging many hours in libraries, labs, and hospitals. For both the runner and the student, the future goal drives the current behavior. Decision after decision is shaped by what is best to accomplish the goal.
The pursuit of wisdom is similar. It requires a young person to be very intentional. No one stumbles into becoming wise. No one accidentally loses his folly and gains wisdom. No one simply wakes up wise one day. To grow in wisdom we must intentionally pursue it.
It starts with a healthy fear of the Lord. We need to know who God is and how he acts and stand in reverential awe of him. We are to understand his all-knowing and all-powerful ways and live with a fear of him. We are to know his unchanging nature and his sovereign control over all and stand in awe of him. This is the essential first stage of growing in wisdom and requires us to study the attributes of God and think carefully about who he is.
We need to study the Word of God and conform our lives to God’s standards. This requires faithful reading and studying of scripture with the goal of applying it to our lives today. “How does this apply to me right now?” should be the question on our minds as we read. This is intentional growth in wisdom.
We need others – the many godly individuals around us. We need the advice and wisdom of our parents for us to grow in wisdom ourselves. We need the example of godly pastors, teachers, and coaches to help us understand how to live in a way that is pleasing to God. We need to intentionally ask others about their convictions and seek to grow in wisdom ourselves. When we hang out with the wise we will become wiser ourselves. This is intentional growth in wisdom.
What can you do to day to grow in wisdom?
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Growing Up Christian urges teens, who are growing up in the church, to develop a faith and a walk of their own. It aims to help teens appreciate the blessings of growing up in a Christian environment and navigate some of the unique dangers they face.
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About the Author - Karl Graustein
Hi, my name is Karl Graustein. I serve as a Principal at Annapolis Area Christian School in Severn, Maryland. In 1993, I graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Mathematics, and in 1997, I graduated from Regent University with a M.A. in Educational Leadership. In 2000, I married my wonderful wife, Jennifer, and since then God has given us three great children. It was a privilege to work with Mark Jacobsen to write Growing Up Christian. Mark is a graduate of the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a pilot and a writer.
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