Wisdom is taking no unnecessary step. Courage is stepping out in
faith when it is necessary. Acceptance is having the courage to allow the
necessary into our lives.
Wisdom is having a part to play—and playing that role diligently
and prudently—within the relationships we have been placed in. Courage is
speaking the truth in love. Acceptance is the wisdom of taking people as they
are, without conditions.
Wisdom is a balance between courage and acceptance. Courage is
advised by wisdom to act when it is necessary to act. Acceptance is the wisdom
of the divine when it is necessary to accept what we cannot change.
Wisdom, which is of God, is the secret to life. Out of wisdom
comes the appropriate time and will for both courage and acceptance. Wisdom
owns both courage and acceptance. Courage and acceptance, therefore, are of
God. God is Wisdom.
Wisdom, courage, and acceptance work in the Trinity of Serenity.
God is at the very centre. Jesus has authored and finished this construct for
living life. These are the very portents of faith, and these operate within
hope. The Holy Spirit supplies these three: wisdom, courage, and acceptance.
Wisdom is the appropriate delay to weigh action; the call of
response. Courage is the definitiveness of action, whether by overt behaviour
or by resolute inaction. Sometimes courage is not doing anything at all. This
is where courage informs and fortifies acceptance. Acceptance borrows from
courage and courage borrows from acceptance, and both work in unity reporting
to wisdom.
Wisdom is that feeling of having been faithful as we recall
times of diligent obedience. Courage is that feeling of resoluteness and the
quickening of resolve. Acceptance is that feeling of peace for the things that
cannot be changed. All three are vital, but what would we give for plain acceptance?
Wisdom is knowing that God is with us, in and about our
decisions, notwithstanding how difficult they are. Courage is sticking by
wisdom. It trusts wisdom. Acceptance also trusts wisdom. It cherishes the
stillness of soul.
Wisdom is beautiful in its time. Courage is obligatory in its
season. Acceptance makes life serene. All three together work with faith, hope,
and love in bringing a bounty of God’s blessing into our lives.
***
Lord, give each one reading this their own reflections and wonderful
resonance regarding wisdom, courage, and acceptance. Help us to accept the
things we cannot change, give us the courage to change the things we can, and
shower us with wisdom appropriate for our time and situation. AMEN.
© 2012 S. J. Wickham.
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