It's instructive to see how often our relationship with God is described with words like "whole" or "all." I am to trust in the Lord with all my heart. I am to seek him with a whole heart. The greatest commandment is to love God with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. Wow! I think God is trying to communicate something to me. Loving God is the choice to put God at the very core of your life. He will increasingly influence every decision you make. You will worship him by giving him your body and your life (Romans 12:1). Your work will be for his glory (Colossians 3:22-24). You will seek to bring glory to him through your service (1 Peter 4:10-11). You will joyfully proclaim his excellencies to those around you (1 Peter 2:9-10). You will let your light shine so that people will glorify your father in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16). You will love others because he first loved you and it is his desire for you (John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:19).
Do you see? Everything you do will grow out of God's love for you and your response of loving him in return. Worship, service, generosity, relationships, and witness will all grow out of your love for God.
I love 1 Peter 1:8, because it describes our love for Jesus in spite of trials of life. Peter says, and though you have not seen him, you love him, and though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
What does this have to do with wisdom? What you will discover is that if you don't get the big things right, you won't have wisdom in the details of life. Well, there is nothing bigger or more important than you can do as a creation of God than to love him with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. As we draw near to God and trust him, rely on him, and love him with all our hearts; we will have his clarity for our lives.
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