The First Step to Living in God’s Wisdom

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10, NIV

When I was 17 years old, I walked into a Sunday morning church service for the very first time in my life. I didn’t grow up in church. I didn’t know the songs, the Scriptures, or the unspoken “rules” that most church folks seemed to know.

But that morning, I knew one thing for certain: God was speaking to me. Not out loud, but in a way that was deeper than words. His presence was unmistakable. I didn’t understand it all, but I knew I had to respond.

Less than a year later, on August 1, 1997, I was praying when the Holy Spirit spoke one single word to my heart: ministry. That one word changed the trajectory of my life. I didn’t get a detailed plan, but I knew God was calling me. And ever since, I’ve been on a journey of preparation, listening, obedience, and growth.

Over the years, I’ve learned something about living in God’s wisdom — something I wish I had known on day one. It’s this: The first step to living in God’s wisdom is not to “get smart” — it’s to get close.

Wisdom Starts with Awe

The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

That phrase, “fear of the Lord,” doesn’t mean living in terror of God’s anger. It means living in awe of His greatness, His holiness, and His love. It’s the posture of heart that says:

“God, You are God… and I’m not. You are the source of all truth, all life, and all understanding. I trust You more than I trust myself.”

Before we ever talk about decision-making, life direction, or solving complex problems, wisdom begins with humility. It begins by bowing our hearts before the Lord and saying, “Lead me.”

Listening Before Leading

When God first called me, I thought wisdom was mostly about what you know. I thought if I read enough books, learned enough theology, or gathered enough experience, I’d be “wise.”

But over time, I realized the wisest people I knew weren’t the ones talking the most. They were the ones listening the most. They had tuned their hearts to the voice of God — through Scripture, prayer, and quiet obedience.

Jesus modeled this perfectly.

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.” (John 5:19, NIV)

If Jesus — the Son of God — lived in complete dependence on the Father’s voice, how much more should we?

The First Step: Draw Near

If you want to live in God’s wisdom, here’s the first step: Draw near to Him.

James 4:8 says,

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

That’s not a suggestion; it’s a promise. God is not hiding from you. He’s inviting you closer. The closer you are to His heart, the clearer His wisdom becomes.

This might mean:

• Setting aside 10 quiet minutes each morning to read Scripture and listen in prayer.

• Asking God one simple question and waiting for Him to speak: “Lord, what’s on Your heart for me today?”

• Making space in your week to step away from noise — social media, constant news, endless busyness — so you can hear Him more clearly.

A Personal Prayer

If you’re ready to take that first step today, I want to pray this over you:

Father, I pray for my friend reading this. Quiet the noise around them and within them. Give them a fresh awe for who You are. Teach them to listen before they speak, to seek You before they act, and to trust You more than they trust themselves. May Your wisdom fill their heart, steady their steps, and guide them into Your perfect will. In Jesus name, amen.

Your Invitation

This is the beginning of The Wisdom Path™ — the journey of learning to listen to God’s voice, see His purpose, align with His wisdom, and walk in His power.

If today you’ve decided to take that first step, I’d love to walk alongside you. You can explore more about The Wisdom Path™ and other resources at WisdomCo.com

Remember: God is not asking you to figure everything out today. He’s inviting you to draw near and let Him lead. Wisdom begins there.