The Spirit of Practical Wisdom

 Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts --- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship....Also, I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you (Exodus 31:1-6).

An alternate translation of the phrase "Spirit of God" above is "the Spirit of Practical Wisdom."  I love that translation because it conveys so well the meaning of wisdom itself.  If we read the Book of Proverbs, as well as the Books of Wisdom and Sirach (found only in Catholic bibles), we find out just how "practical" Wisdom is.

We tend to think of Wisdom as some abstract virtue that has little to do with everyday living.  The opening lines of Sirach reinforce the idea of the guru on the mountain, inspired, but not really in touch with reality as we experience it:

All wisdom comes from the Lord, and with him it remains forever.
The sand on the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these?

Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?

Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding from eternity.

To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties?

There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne:

It is the Lord; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her.  

He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; 

He has lavished her upon his friends.

If we continue reading in Sirach, however, we soon discover just how practical Wisdom can be to everyday life: 

 "One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall.  A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him."

"Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.  When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him.  For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.  Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame...."

Readings throughout Exodus, where the tabernacle is being constructed in the wilderness, and in the first Book of Kings, where the first temple is being built, tell us just how practical wisdom is, where the Lord bestows knowledge and skill on those who are doing the actual building and furnishing.  

From the time I was in the 8th grade, I fell in love with the idea of wisdom.  (Or maybe it was just that I fell in love with the word "sapientia," the Latin for "wisdom," as I was given an art project to work on that included the Latin term.)  Whatever the case, I began at that time to crave wisdom and I developed the habit of seeking and praying for wisdom. To this day, I seek wisdom as I work in the garden and try to figure out how to solve simple problems such as how to haul 40 lbs. of soil too heavy for me to lift into the wheelbarrow....  Or when I must take medicine whose side-effects counteract those of other medicines I need.... Or when I am at a loss as to how to bring order to a chaotic office space that houses multiple projects.

And wisdom comes through channels I least expect, at times I least expect it to come.  But that's a story for another time.  For today, a simple prayer that stays on my desk:

Holy Spirit, I don't know what my future looks like.

All I ask is that you fill me with your grace and guide my decisions today.

Come, Holy Spirit, and let me know you are with me; help me to detect your voice.

I open my heart to you; please come and guide me.