Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube
The Intentional Life
  • Listen
  • Watch
  • Read
  • Attend
  • About
    • About Dr. Randy Carlson
    • Stay Connected
    • Membership
    • Contact
    • Share your Story
    • Who Is Jesus?
    • Found on Family Life Radio
    • Free Resources
  • Donate
Menu
  • Listen
  • Watch
  • Read
  • Attend
  • About
    • About Dr. Randy Carlson
    • Stay Connected
    • Membership
    • Contact
    • Share your Story
    • Who Is Jesus?
    • Found on Family Life Radio
    • Free Resources
  • Donate

A Story of Quiet Wisdom

  • December 21, 2020
Randy Carlson

Randy Carlson

Part 1 of 4-Ways to Make a Difference in Noisy World

Dr. Randy Carlson

 

One man changed his world.

… He never raised his voice.

… He was never recognized.

… He was never rewarded.

… He was never appreciated.

 

No statutes that were built for him that could be torn down later. In fact, the Bible doesn’t even record his name. But within his story, you’ll find four things you can do to make a difference in your world, in your family and in your community without having to scream, yell or stomp your feet – which unfortunately seems to be the case in far too many places in our world today.

As you explore these verses, you’re going to see this man in Ecclesiastes lived in a time, not too different from today. It was a time of a lot of noise.  There was a lot of power hungry control going on, and wisdom was despised then, as it is today.

In Ecclesiastes, written by Solomon in the latter part of his life, God speaks to us about the power of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 9:13 says, “This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me” (NKJV). And then Solomon shares this story to illustrate what he wanted to communicate.  He says, “There was a little city with few men in it.” There weren’t a lot of men in the city.  “And a great king came against it and besieged it and built great snares around it” (v. 14). This noisy, powerful king comes into this small city with a few people and takes control of it. He builds a snare around it. It’s very much a power-hungry type of experience.

But verse 15 says, “Now there was found in it this city a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city” (NKJV).  That is a powerful thought. One man with wisdom delivered the whole city.

The story doesn’t tell us how he did it, and that’s really not important for what I want to share with you today. But clearly, he was a man of great courage to stand up.  It goes onto say, “Yet no one remembered that same poor man. And then I said wisdom is better than strength.  Nevertheless, the poor man’s wisdom was despised, and his words were not heard” (Ecclesiastes 9:15-16 NKJV).

It sounds like a contrast here.  Through his wisdom the city was spared, yet the people never listened to him. Sometimes quiet people behind the scenes make a difference with courage and strength. We may despise what they say, but they are making a difference. That is going to be increasingly so for those of us who cling to scripture as we hold up the Bible as an authority.

Scripture says, “You are salt and light.” We’re making a difference behind the scenes in the world, but the world will never acknowledge it.

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 says, “Words of the wise spoken quietly should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good” (NKJV).

 

[bctt tweet=”A Story of Quiet Wisdom” username=”DrRandyCarlson”]

 

Go Deeper

Has this article been encouraging? Take your intentional life in Christ to the next level and you can receive ongoing, monthly coaching from Dr. Randy Carlson. Become a member of the Intentional Living Center today with your monthly gift of any amount.

CATEGORIES
Popular Posts

Your Windows are Unique

Finding a balanced perspective through the head, heart and hand If you recall, earlier this

Read More »

Your Window to the World

How Head, Heart and Hands provide you with a unique perspective Whenever you look out

Read More »

Your Response for Such a Time as This

You’ve probably seen it all by now. Your inbox teems messages from every organization or

Read More »

Your Life Lived on the Face of a Clock

6 things to consider for how you live out God’s purpose Thinking of our lives

Read More »

Words Matter – A Look at God’s Intentions for Your Words and His

Dr. Randy Carlson   What people say to you can make you feel better or

Read More »
Previous Next

Related Articles

Loading...

It’s All in Your Attitude

Dealing with Roadblocks and Resistance

Nine Habits of an Intentional Parent

Site Links

  • About Dr. Randy
  • Statement of Faith
  • Ways to listen
  • Donation Info
  • Financial Statements
  • Prayer Wall
  • Who Is Jesus?
  • Share Your Story
  • Free Resources
  • Contest Rules
  • About Dr. Randy
  • Statement of Faith
  • Ways to listen
  • Donation Info
  • Financial Statements
  • Prayer Wall
  • Who Is Jesus?
  • Share Your Story
  • Free Resources
  • Contest Rules

About

Intentional Living

National Ministry Headquarters |
PO Box 35300 – Tucson, AZ
85740 | (800) 776-1070

EFCA


Tax ID

#86-0672542

Charity Navigator

Latest Episodes

Open Phones

February 2, 2023

Faith, family, finances, health, and work. Around here we call those the 5 essentials. Any of them problematic? Any questions come to mind? Sign up

Read More »

Open Phones

February 1, 2023

When you look into the face of your child, or your spouse, or your boss, any questions come to mind? Now the question is: who

Read More »

Subscribe to our weekly broadcast and updates

Support Intentional Living

Your donation makes a difference!

DONATE!

Social

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube

© 2023 Copyright Family Life Communications Incorporated. All rights reserved.    Privacy Policy