Sweet Words

I've noticed, since the first time Obama came on the scene, how everyone is so amazed at his eloquence. His way with words. I admit, he is a polished speaker, no doubt about it. If that is all he is, though, we might as well have elected a trained actor or a poet. If someone is applauded merely for their ability to speak words in an artful way, is that enough?

There could be a man on the corner of the city sidewalk, who plays with words like an artist. He could also be mentally deranged. But, hey, his words sound great!

The point I'm making is that wordplay, alone, is a cheap prize. Something else to be treasured, but rarely is these days, is wisdom. Is Barack Obama a wise man? That's where I'm not sure.

He is the product and darling of the university system. Where our universities were once institutions of deep learning, nowadays, they are a far cry from those past places. Now, we have loads of professors who are learned and intelligent people, no doubt, but aren't necessarily wise. Some are, I'm sure. The vast majority, though, are persons whose minds are full of knowledge. Is knowledge enough? Obama has plenty of knowledge, I would imagine.

Ultimately, our world is caving in on itself and the emptiness of our own vanity. We love to appear smart. We love to appear beautiful. Do we love wisdom? I don't see our government being guided by wisdom. The stimulus package just passed in the Senate looks eerily similar, in concept, to Roosevelt's "New Deal." We're still haunted by some of these New Deal systems: social security, Fannie Mae. Are they still causing trouble today? Yes. Just look at the role Fannie Mae played in the recent housing debacle.

Some verses from 2 Timothy come to mind:

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3&4

This brings to mind all kinds of things - from talk shows, to infomercials, to educators, to government leaders.

Who is truly wise in this day and age?