In the book of Proverbs, Wisdom takes shape as a woman. She doesn’t slink back into dark corners keeping her opinion to herself. No, she uses her wild voice and calls aloud to those on the street. She finds the place where paths meet and stands taller, stronger. She takes her space. She is a tree of life, ripe with fruit for those who seek her.  She is a keeper of the flame, a light for all. Her mouth speaks truth and liberation. She makes clear her feminine ways were birthed by God before the oceans were in place. She is a purveyor of peace and discernment. Gratefully, her spirit is not only for women. In fact, Jesus was well acquainted with the feminine spirit of Wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:28-30 tells us “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” Wisdom is a gift for all. She is woven throughout Scripture, steadfastly calling us to follow her instruction, to turn away from pride and arrogance and delight in all of mankind. I love her.

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Proverbs 8:1-8
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud:

“To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.

My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.

All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.

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Proverbs 8:22-31

The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,
before his deeds of old;

I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;

before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,

before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.

I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,

rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

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To Ponder:
How does Wisdom’s voice beckon you towards her in your life?

Resource:
Dance of the Dissident Daughter  by Sue Monk Kidd

Related Posts:
Celebrating the Feminine
Wild Woman
The Gift of Anne
Keeper of the Flame
Still I Rise
Taking Her Space
Blessing the Dust