A Time for Wisdom

The greatest challenge to humankind is to overcome that which it does not know and understand. That is, to subdue ignorance.

In the midst of so much turmoil in this world, we often forget the true meaning of our individual lives, which is to make the best use of our talents, gifts and assets to contribute something worthwhile to human advancement. We should be constructive and not destructive, wise and not foolish.

Regrettably, we are so indoctrinated in our own ethnocentric ideals that we often miss our opportunities to fulfill this broad purpose. We are distracted with the excesses of life, failing often to benefit from the greatest joys it has to offer.

That's why it is fitting in the current global malaise to remember the catalyst that has been the constant for human progress throughout the ages --- and that is faith. The substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. Faith exercised on all levels of life has enabled us to gain and use wisdom to solve the many problems affecting humanity.

In 1942, Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) eloquently expressed one of the most profound revelations about the workings of faith and wisdom in his Serenity Prayer, often mistakenly attributed to others:

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Niebuhr's incantation has soothed the suffering hearts and minds of millions, and many believe that it triumphs over the many accomplishments of his long theological career.

It reveals at once the frailty and magnificence of the human condition, while urging sensible and courageous action according to the superior will of our creator.