Why a Sage?

According to this definition:

SAGE, n. A wise woman; a woman of gravity and discernment; particularly, a woman venerable for years, and known as a woman of sound judgment and prudence; as a sage counselor.

I guess even a pagan could aspire to be a sage. They could simply aspire to be wise according to the world's standards...But this is NOT the type of wisdom I am speaking about. Scriptures are clear that "knowledge alone puffs up, but love edifies" (1 Cor.8:1).

No, the definition I'm talking about came from a Piper sermon on Biblical Counseling where he describes the life of an old washer-woman that taught Spurgeon all his Calvinism. It was the first time I'd ever heard such a breathtaking description of a sage. He spoke about how this old washer-woman knew her theology forward and backward and how her life was this living breathing example of Christ-likeness. This was a woman who had gone deep and walked close with God over her many years. This was a woman who's love for God spilled over into a labor of love for young Spurgeon and she probably never imagined being recognized for it.

I was captivated by her!

I wanted to be that old washer-woman!

THIS was a goal worthy of aspiration that would help me to 'finish well'.

And this is the type of sage I'm referring to.

This is also the type of Christian-life God describes throughout the scriptures because He has actually given us all the ministry of counseling (Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 4:2-5, Colossians 3:16, etc...). And whether we intend to or not, we counsel everyday...either by what is said or not said and by what is done or not done. Everyday there is someone watching and\or listening to see how we (professing Christians) will deal with life's circumstances and it is our chief end to glorify God through them.

In summary, someone once said to me..."We can only endure as much suffering as God is precious to us. Counseling is making God precious to those who are suffering".

As a wife, mother, evangelist, and friend...I can think of no better way to glorify God than to "make Him precious" to those around me.

What better way to love?

What better way to give hope?

What better way to edify?

What better way to live?