In Devon we called them “grockles” and smiled knowingly as they drove caravans into dead-end Dartmoor lanes. We knew better. And, obviously, the practice of reversing with a caravan for a mile or so would be good for a tourist’s driving skills (and possibly their immortal souls).
I don’t know what Northumberland folk call their tourists. On our holiday we visited Holy Island, reached by a causeway over the sands. It is not unusual, apparently, for visitors to fail to check tide times. The cartoon sign I photographed (above) made me chuckle. See the white box on stilts? That’s known as the “idiot box” where dumb motorists have to take refuge as their cars are washed away. You can’t outrun the North Sea. Incoming tides are incredibly fast, and if you get to the causeway as the sea is reaching the road… STOP. GO BACK. Or wave goodbye to your prized car and enjoy several hours in the idiot box. Assuming you get out at all…
Broadly, wisdom has been categorized into theoretical wisdom, practical wisdom, and moral wisdom, with varying interpretations across different philosophical traditions. (Wikipedia)
Wisdom is a quality much prized in the Bible just as it is in modern life. It isn’t just “knowing stuff.” Wisdom is about applying knowledge and intelligence to actual circumstances. Wisdom is the ability to make good judgments based on your knowledge and experience.
Much of our lifetime will be spent in learning wisdom- whether as a tourist seeking out local conditions, a parent bringing up children, or leaders trying to lead- and wisdom is often gained through apprenticing ourselves to wiser people. Every philosophy, religion, and governance explores wisdom (or else it fails). We all want to be wiser!
The best source of wisdom? A life submitted to the presence of God, sharing in the revelation and insight to be found in mature relationships and in a mature application of Bible truths. Like these:
- Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:5-6 – “It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; and this too is futility.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:2 – “Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.”
Wise up. And you will be a blessing to many.
The Reflectionary 