Pondering these words....Fear and Wisdom

Where God is, there exists the fear of God, 

which is the beginning of wisdom

- Tertullian of Carthage, c. 197

Fear and wisdom. Connected to success? One morning this week I prayed for "good conversations." That day was a good day, but only because I ended up in some tough conversations that went well. It was a successful day and I'm glad I listened to that nudge. Praying for good conversations are becoming another norm.

Fear and wisdom, success. The thinker reads Proverbs 1:7 and wonders about the meaning of "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." The second part makes sense, the first..not-so-much.

Thinking about recent success and failures this morning I was drawn to Proverbs in "Ancient Christian Commentary." It's always interesting to read what these guys wrote 1500 to 2000 years ago about scripture; more evidence there's nothing new under the sun.

Fear and wisdom, success. I'm not sure why I was so drawn to Proverbs 1 and these readings, but like the nudge about having good conversations, I'm paying attention. And praying.

Bede the Venerable (c. 480) said there were two things that constitute the fear of the Lord;

1. the servanthood which is called the beginning of knowledge or wisdom and,

2. the friendship which accompanies the perfection of wisdom.

To that end........make it a great day