The Electric Fence

I have found that some of the best lessons are learned in the “field” and not in the “laboratory.” Schooling and book knowledge are important to success in life, but it is what we learn by trial and error, by experiment, by doing dumb stuff, by failing, that are some of the best lessons learned. As a young boy I learned one of those lessons the hard way. It is a lesson that I still live by today – never pee on an electric fence. Let me explain.

My maternal grandparents lived on a farm in Iowa. When we would visit them, the city slicker in me always enjoyed the momentary farm life. I would ride with my grandpa on his tractor and help him feed the animals. My grandma and I would make apple cider.

During one particular visit, my two younger brothers and I, along with two of our cousins (all us of boys under the age of ten) were playing near grandpa’s pasture. We were throwing stones into the creek that ran near an electric fence that surrounded the field. Our goal was to cause a splash to hit the electric fence. We loved to hear the noise of water hitting the electrified rail: Zzzzzz.

I, the oldest and supposedly wisest of the group, came up with the fun idea of seeing which of us five boys could pee and hit the fence. Sounded like harmless fun. More Zzzzzz! Let me just say, I was the only boy to succeed in reaching the fence. And it was in that moment that I learned one of life’s valuable lessons – urine is a good conductor of electricity. Right now, those of you who know me are saying, “Oh, that explains a whole lot!”       

While that wisdom is important to know, as is much of the worldly wisdom we accumulate along life’s journey, gaining the wisdom of God is paramount, more important than all other wisdom, even the truth that some liquids are good conductors of electricity. The conduction of electricity inside a liquid takes place due to the movement of ions. Salts produce those ions. So, liquids that contain salt (yes, urine being one of those) are good conductors. Oil and alcohol are two examples of liquids that do not conduct electricity. Does that mean that if I would have consumed several beers before peeing on the fence that I might have had a different result? Just wondering.

Just how do we gain the wisdom of God? Solomon, considered to be the wisest man ever to live (1 Kings 4:29-34), said this about gaining wisdom – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 10:9). In this context, fear is not “being afraid,” but rather, it is awe and reverence, not wanting to disappoint.

We are also told that God gives wisdom to those who ask – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Later on, still in James, we find these words – “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (3:16-17).  

Scripture calls “blessed” (Hebrew – happy) those who seek and gain godly wisdom. Click here to read Proverbs 3, paying particular attention to verses 13-18.

And lastly, the apostle Paul tells us that even the best of the best worldly wisdom is not as valuable as the foolishness of God (1 Corinthians 1:25).

So, today, I ask – are you seeking to gain wisdom? Not just any wisdom, the wisdom of God. 

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