“How do we focus on what is good?” To know and understand the right way to live is necessary, but without focus the way can be lost. Willingness and obedience are necessary to embody the wisdom of God, but must be fed by the proper sources. What are we allowing to feed our actions? Or, what have we allowed to crowd out the heavenly wisdom already given to us?

“How can I show others what is right?” When we discover something exciting, we want to show and tell as many people as possible. But how do we know what we are sharing is good and useful to someone else? Wisdom is more than what we know, it is also understanding what we are receiving and from whom. What we receive, and how often we receive it, is an indication of what we can teach. So what do we teach people on a daily basis, and where is God in the midst of that?

“Where does good come from in this world?” When we realize we are trapped under the rules and expectations of others, we start to wonder about what we can trust in this world. When we realize the limitations and failures of human leaders and human-based wisdom and teachings, we start to ask if there is any source of goodness we can count on. So long as the presence of God is with us, and within us as followers of Christ, we understand what is actually good and where it can be found. Outside of God, and the works of Jesus Christ, we can do nothing good. So what does that level of goodness and truth look like within our lives?

"God is dead, morality is a prison, and life is inherently meaningless." This is the anthem of those who doubt the accepted rules of society, and the people who hand them out. They see religion and morality as needlessly tribalizing the world, and produce suffering on those we impose it on. But what if they are right? What if our notion of morality and acceptable living is imprisoning others, and ourselves, in a limited view of life? And what does real wisdom and living from God look like, which produces real understanding and life?

The rise and establishment of the monarchy in Israel is a story meant for all of us living today, and not just an historical period to be studied. In this season’s readings of that period, we have discovered the lengths God will go in order to establish and guide his people in a sacred task. We have learned all that God provides for us in order to live under and for him in everything we do, and not because he earns something from that interaction. God’s very nature and character are on display, and invokes a response from creation. It is a challenge about how much we are willing to resonate with that love demonstrated, and that source of grace revealed, in the times of difficulty we will face going forward.

Wisdom is more than just an idea, thought, ideology, or teaching from those who are above us in the world. The wisdom and ways of God must go beyond thought and action on our part, and become a force which strips away and dislodges everything which holds us in uncertainty and complacency. All so the embodiment of true heavenly wisdom can find a home with us, and we might truly be able to receive what he offers.

A mistake many people have with the act of confession, is that it is an instant fix to all the problems we face. We think that when we have a problem, it is because we have not done enough good to earn us what we want. But part of confession is recognizing the depths of evil we have caused for others, and realizing the truest good offered to us. All so we might understand and construct an example now which benefits others and which we can be proud to offer.

One of the hardest things we can do is telling someone we love they are wrong. We do not want to judge, and do not want to receive judgement. But learning to “speak the truth in love” is a duty we have to build up the body, and fellowship, of Christ. It is also a means to express love to another in a deeper way, and learning how God has called that particular servant. All so correction is not an act of judgment and condemnation, but of love and rebuilding what God has placed in our midst.

Work is more than just business, a way to earn something, or to just pass the time. Work is redemptive, a way in which God can guide us and demonstrate his impact on the world. The calling makes us imagine what is truly guiding our works, and what it is we are allowing to control and dictate what our actions accomplish. We may overlook work and actions as less important than what goes on in the heart and soul, but they give us clues as to what our innermost selves are taking their chances on.

It is easy to dismiss others who disagree with us. When we have an idea, vision, or desire, we want to accomplish it no matter what. Anyone who disagrees is just an obstacle wanting to prevent our rise to greatness or importance. But to ignore others who God sends your way to help you is to ignore God himself. The call and purpose given to us is to make us of one purpose and work with others, and foster unity where it is needed the most. To show that in the midst of such vast diversity of talent in the world, it is possible to come together in a common way.