From Wisdom to Joy 智慧生喜乐
Dexu Xia
[Wisdom] will guide you down delightful paths. Proverbs 3:17 nlt
The phone rang and I picked it up without delay. Calling was the oldest member of our church family—a vibrant, hard-working woman who was nearly one hundred years old. Putting the final touches on her latest book, she asked me some writing questions to help her cross the finish line. As always, however, I soon was asking her questions—about life, work, love, family. Her many lessons from a long life sparkled with wisdom. She told me, “Pace yourself.” And soon we were laughing about times she’d forgotten to do that—her wonderful stories all seasoned with true joy.
Wisdom leads to joy, the Bible teaches. “Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 nlt). We find that this path—from wisdom to joy—is a biblical virtue, indeed. “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy” (Proverbs 2:10 nlt). “God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him” (Ecclesiastes 2:26 nlt). Wisdom “will guide you down delightful paths,” adds Proverbs 3:17 (nlt).
Reflecting on the matters of life, author C. S. Lewis declared that “joy is the serious business of heaven.” The path there, however, is paved with wisdom. My church friend, who lived to be 107, would agree. She walked a wise, joyful pace to the King.
What paths have you taken in trying to find joy? How can wisdom lead you to joy?
When I might take a rocky road, loving God, please point me back to Your path of wisdom and joy.
Learn more about joy here.
智慧]的道是安乐。—箴言3章17节
电话铃响，我立刻接听，那是我们教会大家庭中最年长的姐妹打来的。当时她虽然将近百岁高龄，却依然勤奋又充满活力。那时她正在写一本书，进入最后润稿的阶段，因此打来问我一些写作方面的问题，好完成最后的部分。但一如既往，很快就变成我向她请教有关生活、工作、感情、家庭的问题。她从漫长人生中所累积的丰富经验，闪耀着智慧的光芒。她告诉我要调整步调，但很快地，我们就因她有时也忘记调整自己的步调而开怀大笑。她精彩的人生故事，载满真正的喜乐。
圣经告诉我们，智慧能带来喜乐。正如箴言3章13节说：“得智慧、得聪明的，这人便为有福。”不难发现，从智慧到喜乐，确实是圣经所称颂的美德。如箴言2章10节说：“智慧必入你心，你的灵要以知识为美。”传道书2章26节也说：“上帝喜悦谁，就给谁智慧、知识和喜乐。”箴言3章17节更补充说：“[智慧]的道是安乐。”
作家鲁益师在反思生命的课题时，说：“喜乐是天堂里重要的事。”而通往天堂的路是需要有智慧的。相信我教会那位已故的107岁姐妹一定也会如此认同，因她已迈出明智而快乐的步伐，走向至高的君王！
你曾尝试以何种途径得着喜乐？
智慧如何带给你喜乐？
慈爱的上帝，当我走在崎岖难行的路上，
请向我指出回转向祢的智慧和喜乐之路。