A couple of weeks ago, I preached about the personification of wisdom in Proverbs, where wisdom is depicted as a woman calling out to us. She seeks to guard us against making poor or harmful choices—choices that lead to death—not physical death, but a state of being that is opposed to the full and abundant life God desires for each of us. Wisdom calls out and encourages us to make decisions and spend our time in ways that lead to life.
One of the key ways you can nurture and develop wisdom is to establish a regular practice of introspection, getting quiet and attuning to the voice of wisdom. Whether running, knitting or sitting on the back porch, find whatever helps you clear your mind and get quiet. In those moments of stillness, remember that wisdom resides within you. This voice of wisdom is not just your intuition but the wisdom of God, which is present in every follower of Christ. Once you get quiet, one spiritual practice you can turn to in order to align with this inner wisdom is The Daily Examen. This practice involves reflecting on your day, week or even year and discerning when you were moving towards Consolation (life) or towards Desolation (death). Consolation, or life, is a state where you are moving closer to God’s presence and activity in the world, growing in love, mercy, compassion and other spiritual gifts. This state of consolation leads to a more Christ-centered and abundant life. On the other hand, desolation is a state where you are moving away from God’s active presence. As Vinita Hampton Wright aptly puts it, you know you are “moving in this way when you sense the growth of resentment, ingratitude, selfishness, doubt, fear and so on.” When your perspective becomes increasingly self-centered and miserable, it’s often an indication that you are making choices that are leading you toward a state of death, feeling dead inside.
To practice The Daily Examen, find a quiet moment and ask yourself, “What was the most life-giving part of my day, week, or year? What brought more joy, hope, peace, and goodness? What was the most life-thwarting part? What felt like death?” These questions can help you get in touch with wisdom, bring clarity, and help you discern your movement toward or away from God’s abundant life. The Daily Examen is a great spiritual tool that can help you make choices that lead to a more abundant life.
—Carol