The Glory of Wisdom

August 24

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps that is at no time more obvious than when a man takes a bride. While the guests may criticize her selection of a wedding dress or her make-up or the jewels which adorn her, the groom sees only the beauty of the object of his affection. In his eyes, she is perfect. She is radiant.

The glow which he sees upon her is not so much emanating from her but from his own eyes which can find no fault in her. He sees in her the unique and exquisite love that she lavishes upon him. He sees the elevated status of his own esteem that he has enjoyed since she gave her heart to him. He sees her through the prism of his own feelings.

Objectivity is not part of the equation of falling in love. Ecclesiastes 8:1 asks, “Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance.” This is indeed true for the happy couple who exchange wedding rings and wedding vows on that happy day.

But, unlike marriage, which sometimes diminishes the allure that a man holds for his bride (and she for him), the beauty of wisdom continues to brighten the life of its possessor through a lifetime. The glory of wisdom is enhanced as it is employed in the ups and downs of life’s endeavors. Because the glory of true wisdom is God’s alone.