Jesus’ brother James asked a question most everyone would respond to with a hearty “Yes.” He asked in chapter three, “Do you want to be counted wise?” * He then goes on to tell us how. “Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” ** Wisdom is not something we are born with. Wisdom comes from experience. Wisdom knows how to improvise. Wisdom is the behavior displayed by the janitor whose supervisor has instructed him to vacuum the small chapel and yet he does not do it because when he arrives with the noisy machine in hand he finds the room occupied by grieving family. Wisdom is knowing when to make an exception to the rule.
Jazz musicians intrigue me. The notes on the page are rarely played as written but become the guide around which the musician dances with improvisation. Sometimes the result is marvelous. Sometimes it is notThe wisdom was in the act of trying. Sometimes when we improvise we fail and we learn if we are wise. Hopefully most of the time we are successful and we learn if we are wise.
Paul wrote in Romans that we fulfill the law when we love each other. The latter part of chapter twelve is a treasure trove of wisdom. There he shares with us a literal bonanza of counsel that, if followed, will enable us to live the abundant life Jesus offers. It is not a list of rules. It is a list of ideas for those wise enough to realize good living, real living, is a fruit of intelligent improvisation.
*The Message Paraphrase.
**King James Version
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 19, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org