Published by I have always been intrigued with the choice Solomon made regarding his selection of a gift from the Creator. Solomon chose “Wisdom.”
Pardon the pun, but it was a wise choice. Solomon’s wisdom served him and his subjects well.
Who can ever forget his incredibly brilliant handling of the situation when two women appeared before his judgement seat and both claimed to be the mother of the same baby. After hearing the claims of the women, Solomon said he would take a sword and divide the baby and each woman would be given half of the child..
One woman consented to his decree. The other cried to him to give the baby to the first rather than see the child suffer death.
Solomon’s wisdom had identified the true mother of the baby. Rather than see her child killed she was willing to give the baby to the other so that her child might live.
Perhaps Caleb, one of my heros in the Old Testament, may have chosen courage. At an advanced age he requested that his portion of the Promised Land be a mountain. A mountain which yet needed to be conquered. Certainly no small task. Yet that was his request. And courage, of necessity, was a vital component toward the completion of that task.
Solomon and Caleb provide wonderful examples for each of us living in today’s world where both wisdom and courage are essentials. We can gain much as we study their experiences.
However, the question which rests on my mind is which gift would I choose if given the same opportunity as was Solomon? Would it be wisdom, or courage, or talent, or ability, or wealth? Would it be power?
Certainly, all of those choices possess their respective enticements. And, if put to proper use, the great potential exists for each of these to benefit many in our present day world.
However, I do not believe I would choose any of these. I believe I have identified the gift which I would choose above all others.
It would be “Gratitude.”
Gratitude in one’s heart and life is the recognition and acknowledgment of the constant sustaining of one’s existence and the perpetuation of life itself.
Gratitude bespeaks maturity and understanding on the part of the individual who possess it.
Gratitude is a prayer of thanksgiving. Its presence says to the Creator, “I am thankful for all that you have so benevolently provided.”
Gratitude allows us to live our lives permeated by satisfaction, surrounded by tranquility, and steeped in contentment.
Gratitude allows us to look upon our station, our possessions, and our abilities through a surrounding veil of peace.
And, the beautiful truth regarding gratitude is that it does not require its bestowal as a divinely appointed gift as was Solomon’s wisdom. It is attainable to all who will seek it.
If it be sought in humility.
