I look out for butterflies and dragon flies in our garden and find them only occasionally in the recent months!
There is something extra-ordinarily special about them. They are small, beautiful to behold and live hidden in the grass and foliage in every garden.
I often think of them as treasures in a garden!
I happened to read the 28th chapter of the book of Job in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Job told about 'Earth's treasures'. Job having lost his wealth, children, and himself becoming unwell could not be consoled for his enormous loss. Even his wife turned against him ( Book of Job chapters 1 and 2).
It was in this awful state of distress and despair, Job had the insight stated in the 28th chapter, as a response to his friends who tarried with him.
His statement that 'Iron is taken from dust, and from rock copper is smelted, man puts an end to darkness, and to the farthest end he searches out.... He dams up the streams from flowing; and what is hidden he brings out to the light' V 2, 3, 11).
Job offered his tribute to people who make provisions upon earth for us to live well.
Job's search was: ' Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding ? Thus it is hidden from eyes of the living, and concealed from the birds of the sky' (v20,21).
I asked myself where does the exquisite colourfulness of the butterfly come from?. Where does the intricate and delicate design of the wings of the dragon fly come from?
But Job even in his state of anguish and loss did not stop there. He said this further about God: 'And to man God said, behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom ; and to depart from evil is understanding' (v 28).
To be patient in pursuing God in one's life even in difficult times is the way to find the mystery hidden in our situations in our lives!
Some people whom I talk to feel tormented by injustice and evil all around.
Is that all we see?
A young consultant engaged in rehabilitation told me that her aspiration was to create custom made wheel chair for children at an affordable cost! What a thought of concern as many children who need wheel chair cannot afford it because of its prohibitive cost! An interest beyond her gain! I found the spirit of wisdom in that thought.
The fear of the Lord is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding!
It was when Job was passing through an experience of loss and grief, he discovered the source of wisdom and path for wisdom! reason one
Wisdom is concealed!
It can be concealed in our experiences of life!
It is for this reason, one requires to live centred to receive insight to seek the path to wisdom!
M.C.Mathew ( text and photo)
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