Gifts wrapped in prayer for an almost sixteen year old

Hunger

Amazement

You

Discernment

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N

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers  Psalm 1:1-3

 

Hayden.  You're a fact maniac.  You know your trivia.  I know this will come in handy in life.  You're intelligent too. Being full of knowledge can make life easier.  But having  information and the know-how isn't as important as the world makes it out to be.

On the contrary, the know-how often is merely a means to power, money and things.  Information is a highway that, by worldly ways,  leads to bigger and better "things".  Not to knock knowledge, but there is another characteristic I pray finds its place in your heart.

Discernment.

It's not just what you know, but what you do with what you know. It's through discernment that you know when to stand, when to remain silent and how to serve.

Discernment is akin to wisdom.  Surely you remember young Solomon, the new king, and his request:

So give your servant an understanding heart

to judge your people to discern between good and evil. 

It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.

1 Kings 3:10

What you may not remember is King David's charge to Solomon before his death:

"....be strong, act like a man,

³ and observe what the Lord your God requires:

Walk in obedience to him,

and keep his decrees and commands,

his laws and regulations,

as written in the Law of Moses.

Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go....." 

1 Kings 2:2b,3

I'm no theologian but I can't help but think that King David was describing the path to discernment. There is no wisdom without the word of God.

Hayden I leave you with the same charge.

Be strong.  Pour over the words that God has written to instruct you.  Though the world beguiles you, stay faithful to those words.  It won't be easy.  Just like Solomon, your first step in being wise will be asking God for the wisdom he so generously gives.  You will prosper.  I can't wait to be a witness to it all.