Dear friends,

In The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel tells the story of two men: a janitor and a Harvard-educated Merrill Lynch executive. The janitor quietly saved and invested his meager income and shocked the world by leaving $6 million to charity. Meanwhile, the executive fell from dizzying heights of success into financial ruin. 

Housel notes how stories like this seem unique to finance: 

“In what other industry does someone with no college degree, no training, no background, no formal experience, and no connections massively outperform someone with the best education, the best training, and the best connections? I struggle to think of any.…There will never be a story of a janitor outperforming the world’s top nuclear engineers.”

I can think of one. It’s not an industry (at least it shouldn’t be), but that kind of upside-down dynamic is often found in the spiritual life. 

Think of the disciples:

“When [the rulers and elders] saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” — Acts 4:13

Following Jesus isn’t anti-intellectual. It’s supra-intellectual. It includes and transcends the intellect. We are to seek wisdom with vigor while remembering that we follow a person, not merely an idea. 

Jesus invites us into real security by placing the full weight of our lives on him. We trust him, not our own ability to figure things out.

This week, the Renovaré Podcast is re-airing a meditation on Psalm 131. Nathan Foster moves through the passage slowly, line by line, over and over. As a chronic overthinker, this brief psalm is a cooling balm to my inflamed mind. 

Meditating on it calms and quiets my soul and reminds me… 

…to let go of needing to know,

…to listen to the Spirit’s invitation for when and how far to press into mysteries,

…to apply what John Eldredge calls benevolent detachment toward situations over which I have no control,

…and to release the fear-driven management of my own wellbeing into more Capable Hands. 

The janitor built wealth through simple practices: spending less than he made and investing steadily rather than chasing trends. Storing up treasure in heaven and building a spiritually solid life on earth follows a similar pattern. ​“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them,” Jesus said, ​“will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” 

Lord, grant us childlike hearts to trust you, mature minds to think our thoughts with you, and slow and steady obedience that leads to fullness of joy.