Chickens are curious creatures.

They want to get into everything, fly over anything their limited flight ability will allow, and go where no chicken has gone before. But while they will run from a person who is trying to catch them, and run from another animal coming at them, their little minds cannot understand the inherent danger involved in leaving the protection established by their keeper.

The birds in our flock cluck their way around the yard as they scratch for bugs, hop onto the trailer, crawl under the BBQ grill and fly up to look into our windows. But what got my attention was when I found three hens sitting atop the gate of our chain-link fence. Obviously, their wings are getting stronger. (This took place a week before we were given Elona -- the fourth pullet.)

"You might need to clip their wings" Carol prophetically intoned. I shouldn't have been surprised the next day when I went out to feed them, but found only Fred -- the rooster.

I found them in the neighbor's front yard and called them. Getting their attention, I dropped grain -- which they dearly love -- behind me as I walked toward the gate. When they saw the grain falling from my hand, they ran to me and willingly gobbled the grain as they followed me home. The situation reminded me of the Pied Piper, but my motives were good.

The four birds have a quarter-acre to roam, eat, run, fly, scratch, lay eggs, fuss with each other, eat more, cluck to their heart's content and enjoy life. So why do they spend an inordinate amount of time at the gate looking out? Within the yard, they have all they will ever need and they are safe, yet with their half-inch brain there is no way they can understand the dangers outside the fold.

Surprisingly, I know some people who act in the same irresponsible manner -- and they have a three-pound brain. So, the problem doesn't lie in the size of our brain, or even with the ability to rationalize, but with wisdom and understanding.

Wisdom can be defined in many ways. One definition is: the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience and knowledge. Another definition is: the ability to apply what I have learned to life's situations. Some folk say wisdom is common sense. Properly understood, I agree.

But wisdom depends on something else. Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." The New Century Version says, "Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord, and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One."

As the space shuttle needs a base from which to launch, and as a building needs a solid footing, wisdom needs a firm foundation. So Proverbs 9:10 informs us that knowing, respecting, revering and obeying God is the foundation upon which wisdom is built. The emphasis is on obedience. Sacrifice was the highest form of worship in the Old Testament, but First Samuel 15:22 tells us that obedience is far better than sacrifice.

God gave humans our three-pound brain to operate our bodies. Within that brain, our mind thinks, analyzes and ponders; wisdom goes beyond that.

Wisdom enables us to see through problematic situations, to understand and heal wounded relationships. Wisdom enables us to avoid hurting others and helps us to understand and love more completely. Wisdom enables us to accomplish our God-given goals. As we remain obedient to the Lord, He grants us wisdom to understand and enjoy life.

The chickens have learned to stay home. In like manner, we need to stay close to God.

GENE LINZEY IS A SPEAKER, AUTHOR, MENTOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD. SEND COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.