Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.—Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)

After reading this proverb, I made a mental list of wise people I could spend time with. Then the realization jumped to mind that Jesus is the wisest companion anyone could have. But how do I walk with Him? What does that look like on a practical level? 

First, I can walk with Jesus through descriptions of His actions in the Gospels. I can read about what mattered to Him, how He responded to each situation, how He showed His love. 

Second, I can spend time with others in the body of Christ—His church. Although none of us live out the love of Jesus perfectly, I often see glimpses of His nature in others. Jesus appears in the generosity of a friend who gave a gift to cheer me, in the companion who can empathize with my pain but doesn’t let me wallow in self-pity, and in the tenderness of someone who cries with me in my grief. Each person in the body of Christ can lead me to “walk with the wise.” 

Third, I can turn to Jesus in prayer each day, in every experience I face, and discover His guidance. His Spirit counsels and guides me when I deal with a conflict at work, a decision in my family, or habits I want to change. 

I’ve embraced this proverb with new enthusiasm. I plan to explore every way I can to walk with Jesus and hopefully grow wise like Him. 

Faith Step: Think of a situation for which you need wisdom. Through Scripture, fellowship, and prayer, ask Jesus to walk with you in this circumstance and help you be wise.