A New Reality Show is coming…

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1894410,00.html?iid=redirect-time100

Would you like some advice from the smartest person on earth?

 Just imagine a new reality show with 20 contestants who have a life-changing decision to make.  After 10 weeks of competing one contestant will win the opportunity to ask the wisest person on earth for their advice on this life-changing decision.  What would we call this new reality show?  “Biggest Winner”, “American Crossroads”, “Extreme Decision-Making”…

 Today, the Time Magazine web-site has an article on the world’s most influential people in 2009. I wonder if our imaginary contestants on our imaginary reality show would choose any of Time Magazine’s picks.  Who is the smartest person in today’s world? I have no idea, but I saw something today in my early morning “porch time” that gives me clear direction when seeking advice.

 In 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 8:1-12 there is a story very similar to our reality show scenario:

 The queen of the land of Sheba heard of the great wisdom of King Solomon of Israel and journeyed there with gifts of spices, gold, precious stone, and beautiful wood to test him with questions.  “The queen talked with him about everything she had on her mind.  Solomon had answers for all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.” (1 Kings 10:2, NLT)

 Looking through the filter of unrest in today’s world, Solomon’s ability to have peace on all his borders (1 Kings 4:24) is enough credibility for the entire world to look to him for advice.   Israel—peace on all its borders–definitely, a supernatural thing!

The Wisdom of Solomon was a “supernatural” gift from God.  “The Lord asked Solomon in a dream, what do you want?  Ask, and I will give it to you!” (1 Kings 3:5-15). “Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could govern his people well and know the difference between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9).  It is no wonder that the richest of the rich were willing to travel far and offer large gifts to benefit from supernatural, superhuman wisdom.

After reading Solomon’s advice in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes I found two sentences that sum up all his wisdom:

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

 I think I’ll pass on our fictional reality show or asking  Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for advice and choose supernatural, superhuman advice from the one who knows the difference between right and wrong.

Have a blessed day!

 Dianne