Living Wisely

Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures…. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.  – Proverbs 2:2-4, 9-10

At a time when it doesn’t seem that we can agree about anything, perhaps we can all agree about this: 2020 was a really difficult year. We’re all glad that it’s behind us and we’d just as soon forget it. But before we do let me ask you, what did you learn from it? Truth is, tough times are our best teachers. We rarely learn deep truths in good times. So, before you toss 2020 into the “Good Riddance” bin, spend some time reflecting on what you learned.

I’ve asked dozens of people in the last few months what they learned. Here is some of what they shared with me:

• “Less busyness gave me time for self-reflection, reading and quality time with the people who matter most. I want to be careful about how I fill my calendar as move back into a new ‘normal’”.
• “I learned that it’s OK to not be OK. There were days when I felt angry, sad and afraid. Initially I was ashamed of those feelings but talking about them honestly with a trusted friend taught me that they’re just feelings. They won’t last forever.”
• “I’m more resilient than I thought. I learned to take life one day at a time, and each day I found that I had what I needed…just for that day.”

Reflecting and learning from the past, and then applying what you learned to how you’ll live into the future is called wisdom.

So, what did you learn during the dumpster fire known as 2020? And how will you apply it to the way you’ll live in 2021? Invite the Holy Spirit into a time of reflection before 2020 is a (blessedly) distant memory. And then, leave a comment so that we can all learn from your wisdom!

Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy and wise New Year!

Jeff Marian serves as lead pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN