Kidney Stone…Brimstone…Same Thing

What a week! I’ve heard people compare kidney stones with childbirth. As of this week, I’ve now officially experienced both. I spent two days in the hospital while someone drove a tank through my left kidney. In a fight, I would say kidney stones could so take childbirth. For one thing, with childbirth you come out of the hospital with a baby. Kidney stones? You get to bring home that spit tray thing. No comparison.

While we’re talking “no comparisons,” Proverbs 8:10-11 tells us that nothing we desire compares with wisdom. “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her,” (NIV)

Nope, nothing can compare with the wisdom of God—according to the Proverbs passage, not even silver, gold or rubies. Not the best jewelry. No matter what we’re wearing, when we wrap our minds around His wisdom—and wrap His wisdom around our lives—we simply couldn’t look better. Not even with the shiniest of precious stones.

And when we’re on a hunt for wisdom, nothing can compare to his Word. The more we grow in our knowledge of God’s Word, the more we know about our incomparable God and the more we grow in real wisdom. Isn’t it wonderful that wisdom leads us to obedience? Then obedience leads us to more wisdom. And the more we grow in wisdom and understanding of our amazing God, the more we are drawn to worship Him. Then Psalm 111:10 tells us that worship is the beginning of wisdom! In the Amplified Version it says: “The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and skill (the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet); a good understanding, wisdom and meaning have all those who do the will of the Lord. Their praise of him endures forever.”

Did you notice, too, how the circle of wisdom brings us right back to praise? Forever praises to the God of all wisdom! Nothing compares. Not success, not fame, not money or riches or even any kind of precious stone. Nothing!

Incidentally, that’s one more beef I have with kidney stones. They’re the kind of stones you can’t even turn into jewelry. Not one of them would ever make it as a solitaire, no matter the cut or setting.

Rhonda Rhea is a radio personality with a recurring role on Focus on the Family’s “Weekend Magazine” radio program and a conference speaker for events all over the country. She is the wife of First Baptist Church of Troy, Missouri’s pastor, Richie Rhea, and mother of five, three in college and two more teens at home. She has authored several fun and fruitful books, including I’m Dreaming of Some White Chocolate and High Heels in High Places: Walking Worthy in Way Cute Shoes. Her newest release is The Purse-uit of Holiness—Learning to Imitate the Master Designer. Find out more and sign up for Rhonda’s e-newsletter at www.RhondaRhea.org.