By the end of January, many of us have already felt the tension.
We began the year with good intentions—clear desires to live wisely, to lead faithfully, to be more attentive to God’s presence. But now the calendar is full again. Decisions are piling up. The pace has returned.
And somewhere along the way, wisdom can quietly and quickly give way to urgency.
Last month, we reflected on Proverbs’ invitation to “ponder the path of your feet” (Proverbs 4:26)—to pause long enough to examine where our steps are actually leading. That reflection was an invitation to awareness. But awareness alone does not form a life.
Wisdom is not sustained by resolve alone, but by rhythm.
Pondering as Preparation, Not Hesitation
In Proverbs 4:26, the word translated ponder comes from the Hebrew palas, which means to make level, to clear, to prepare a path. This is not the language of passive reflection or overthinking. It is the language of intentional preparation.
To ponder your path is to do the quiet work of spiritual road maintenance—to clear what clutters, to notice what has grown uneven, and to prepare the way before moving forward.
That kind of wisdom doesn’t happen once a year. It must be practiced regularly.
Why Wisdom Requires Rhythm
Proverbs consistently reminds us that wisdom is cultivated over time:
- “The prudent gives thought to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).
- “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23).
Both images assume attentiveness that is ongoing, not occasional.
Resolutions rely on willpower. Rhythms rely on return.
Especially for leaders—those responsible for people, organizations, and decisions—wisdom cannot depend on rare moments of clarity. It must be shaped by practices that slow us down enough to discern God’s direction amid real life.
What Pondering Looks Like in the Course of a Day
Daily pondering is about staying awake.
This doesn’t require extended silence or elaborate systems. Often, it looks like five or ten minutes at the beginning or end of the day—quietly reviewing your heart before God.
You might ask:
- What stirred my spirit today?
- Where did I sense resistance, anxiety, or grace?
- What am I carrying that I haven’t named?
This is not analysis; it is attentiveness. A daily rhythm of pondering keeps us from living on autopilot. I try to do this each afternoon before “clocking out” for the day.
What Pondering Looks Like Over the Course of a Week
Weekly pondering helps us clear the path.
Setting aside even twenty or thirty minutes to look back over the week can reveal patterns we miss in the moment:
- What gave life?
- What drained me?
- Where did I feel aligned—or misaligned—with God’s wisdom?
Proverbs 24 tells of a neglected vineyard—overgrown not by catastrophe, but by quiet inattention. Weekly reflection allows us to notice the thorns before they take over. Schedule a time with yourself for Friday afternoon, or if you’re like me, for Sunday evening.
What Pondering Looks Like Across a Season
Quarterly or seasonal pondering allows us to re-level the ground.
This may involve a half-day or full day away to pray, journal, and listen. The goal is not primarily goal-setting, but discernment—understanding where God may be inviting adjustment before more plans are made.
As Proverbs teaches us, reflection is not opposed to action. It is what prepares action to be wise.
Reflection is how faith takes responsibility for today and trusts God with tomorrow.
A Word for Leaders
If you are a business or organizational leader, pondering is not a luxury. It is a responsibility.
Leaders do not merely walk paths; they shape them—for teams, families, and communities. The pace you keep and the attentiveness you practice inevitably influence others.
In Episode 70 of the Wisdom Calling podcast, my conversation with Dwight Gibson returns to this theme: wisdom grows where leaders create space to listen, reflect, and realign—not just once, but as a way of life.
Beginning Again
If January has already felt rushed, you have not failed.
Wisdom does not require perfection—only willingness to return.
Begin with one small rhythm. One daily pause. One weekly review. One honest question held before God.
As Proverbs reminds us, when the path is pondered, the way becomes sure—not because we control the road ahead, but because we have learned to walk it with attentiveness and trust.
A simple prayer
Lord, teach us to pause before we plan,
to listen before we act,
and to prepare the path before we move forward.
Give us rhythms that keep us attentive,
hearts that remain humble,
and steps that are shaped by Your wisdom.
Make our paths level, and our lives faithful.
Amen.