Seeking wisdom and coming up short

As we age and life grows more complicated, it's easy to feel lost in all of the noise around us. There's so much going on that it's difficult to keep up, let alone make value judgments on every billboard or post we scroll past on social media.

In The Avett Brothers' 2006 song "Backwards With Time," they question whether they're failing to grow as time marches on.

"Some say with age that a purpose comes clear / I see the opposite happening here," Scott Avett sings.

I've always liked the song, but it was especially relevant as a college student when I came to realize that for everything I learn, there's more and more I don't (and likely will never) know.

My favorite lines in the song, and the words that seem to ring most true are:

"For all I know there's more I don't / Oh the little I have learned / For every year of knowledge gained / Is a negative year I've earned."

Most of us likely remember the story of King Solomon's prayer for wisdom, but what he actually requests of God in 1 Kings 3:9 is this: "Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?"

Wisdom seems to boil down to discerning good and evil, which might sound simple but is no easy task. Though we may strive from wisdom, who doesn't fail even in small things like overindulging on food or disregarding a neighbor who could benefit from a few kind words?

Becoming a wise person is a lifelong pursuit. Though I seek wisdom, I often come up short. I certainly don't consider myself wise, but I pray for it and meditate on it.

Wisdom seems to be an attribute that is always slightly out of reach — but if we strive to love God with our whole heart and love our neighbors as ourselves (what Jesus lists as the two greatest commandments), we'll get a bit closer every day.