The Rev. Debi Thomas in "The Beginning of Wisdom," begins with the endearing and humble young King Solomon who asks God for the gift of wisdom instead of riches, power, and fame. But she does not stop there. There is much to be learned when we read the Bible, not through our own biases and preferences, but searching out God's meaning for us in context, and through all the messiness we might tend, or want, to set aside.
Solomon was renowned for his store of wisdom, fame, power, riches, the building of the temple, but also known for murder, intrigue, the heavy taxation and forced labor of his people, for his harem, and satisfying his immense desires and appetites. In short, he was human, and this week's lesson would have us confront our own gifts, glories and shortcomings, in all our humanity, without whitewash or sugar coating, to heed God's calling to be our better selves, and recognize what is truly meaningful, important, and what we are called to do and be in light of God's love, gifts, and wishes for us in all of, and despite of, our messiness. Such is the beginning of wisdom.
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