The biblical book of Proverbs exemplifies how to live life on this earth in the best way possible. However, rather than giving us step–by–step instructions on how to live a more efficient, productive, and successful life, the ancient book of Proverbs encourages us to meditate on the person, posture and pace of wisdom. In our pursuit of wisdom as Christians, we find that ultimate wisdom is embodied in Christ. We must pursue wisdom as we would a person, relationally and with love. The posture of wisdom is one of humility and teachability, and the pace of wisdom encourages meditation rather than immediate action. In this valuable book, Zack Eswine shows us how these things play out in our everyday lives. He emphasizes the importance of relating wisely to people, including to ourselves, before considering how to grow wiser in life skills. But to grow wiser of heart, whether with people or with life skills, wisdom invites us to prayer and community. Biblical wisdom invites us to seek wiser hearts in communal rather than lonely ways. This book is a treasure for anyone seeking to live life more wisely. Contents Introduction Part 1: Relationally Wiser with Jesus Your Wisdom Story & Mine When We’re Naïve When We’re Foolish When We’re Tempted to Scoff When We’re Crushed in Spirit Waking Up to The Menu of Loves Part 2: Skillfully Wiser with Jesus Making Better Decisions Anchoring Your Life in God’s Steadfast Love Getting a Handle on Time Your Youth, Gray Hairs & Old Age Postscript Endorsements In a culture that offers endless opportunities to hone our skills and our knowledge, Zack Eswine invites us to hone our wisdom. I closed this book feeling deeply loved, expertly counseled, and filled with hope. Kelly Needham Zack has given us a true treasure—poetic yet practical, bold yet compassionate. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of Scripture and beautifully original, this book will draw you closer to Jesus and lead you into a life of wholeness and joy. Ken ShigematsuPastor of Tenth Church and best-selling Author of God in My Everything, Vancouver Zack Eswine is the sage our modern church culture needs. He will deny it, but that will prove the point. Wisdom seeps out of every pore of this book. Elyse Fitzpatrick … an invitation to trade all of your folly for an afternoon with Jesus – through the accessible, deep, poetic and graceful language of Zack Eswine. Davi C. Ribeiro Lin I have long appreciated Zack’s thoughtful pastoral wisdom. What a delight to see him apply this through the biblical theme of wisdom, inviting us to humbly and imperfectly find in Jesus the wisdom we need for our complex lives. Jonathan T. PenningtonAssociate Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky In a culture that idolises the new and the strong, the Bible’s ancient voice of wisdom gets drowned out or ignored. What’s needed is for some in our generation to plumb its depths and then translate afresh the better way in the old, old story, and this Zack has achieved superbly. Mark MeynellEuropean Associate Director, Langham Preaching, London … a profound and deeply human guide to embodying Christ–like wisdom … Dan Steel
