I started reading the book of Proverbs this week and began with the short introduction written by Eugene Peterson. I found a couple things quite interesting and helpful in his description of this little book of sayings.

First, he said that living well on this earth is about “living in robust sanity.” Robust sanity. What an interesting way to describe the desirable way to live, don’t you think?

He then says this robust sanity is the same thing as wisdom:

Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves. It has to do with becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes toward others that make for peace.

I really appreciate this description of wisdom. It connects to real life, covering the gamut of situations we actually encounter daily. And he says wisdom is about learning to live skillfully inside this variety of life situations.

It made me wonder: what are the sources in our lives that help us cultivate wisdom such as this?

Do you think about the sources directing your life and actions? What is teaching you the way to live right now? Are there certain sources you might seek out more intentionally for help in this area, or other sources you might leave better alone?