Dale Glading for President? NAH!!!
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
"Wisdom not only gets, but once got, retains." – Francis Quarles, English, poet (1592-1644)
Go ahead and ask me…
In my childhood, I devoured books about great athletes (especially baseball players), great generals (the Revolutionary War and the Civil War were my favorites), and great statesmen (especially U.S. presidents). Today, roughly 55 years later, I can still recite the names of the first five members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame as well as all 46 presidents in order. And yes, I still remember the nicknames of Francis Marion (the Swamp Fox); Andrew Jackson (Old Hickory); and Zachary Taylor (Old Rough and Ready).
I can also readily recall the lifetime batting averages of Ty Cobb (.366); Rogers Hornsby (.358); Joe Jackson (.356); Ted Williams (.344); Babe Ruth (.342); and Lou Gehrig (.340). To be honest, I did have to look up Tris Speaker (.345); Harry Heilmann (.342); Bill Terry (.341); and George Sisler (.340)… and I could kick myself for not being able to spout them off the top of my head.
However, memorizing baseball statistics is only valuable if you plan to be a contestant on Jeopardy and Top Career Batting Averages of the 20th Century is the category. Likewise, knowing the names of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson & Co. is of little use unless you want to win a bet… or are planning to run for president yourself. Hmmm, Dale Glading in 2024? Not on your life!
On the flip side, true wisdom is elusive, hard-earned, and absolutely priceless. It usually takes years – and lots of real-life experience – to obtain a smidgen of genuine wisdom. But the good news is that once you have it, it rarely goes away.
The most important wisdom that can be acquired is knowledge of God and His Word. When properly interpreted and applied, the Bible opens your heart and mind to God’s. And that, my friend, is of eternal value.
“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:5-7 (NKJV)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
