Author Jen Wilkin Delivers Chapel Message Sept. 30

September 30, 2020

Jen Wilkin, author and Bible teacher, delivered the message during the University’s virtual chapel service Sept. 30. Wilkin is an author and public speaker from Dallas, Texas, who teaches biblical truths to audiences around the country and has written eight books and Bible studies.

Wilkin spoke about wisdom and its importance, particularly amid the turbulent times of the pandemic. She emphasized that the best place to find wisdom is to start with scripture. She taught from 1 Kings 3 and discussed the wisdom God gave to King Solomon.

She discussed how as Christians, we have learned to ask God for wisdom when we need direction, when we do not know where to live or who to date or what jobs to apply for. She then posed the question to viewers to consider whether these prayers we pray are for wisdom or for knowledge. Wilkin distinguished between the two, noting that knowledge includes a set of facts, whereas wisdom is the ability to take the facts at hand and make the best decision with the information we already know.

“While we are consumed with asking the question, ‘what should I do?’ The better question to ask is, ‘who should I be?’” Wilkin said. “The path of wisdom is the path that we are set upon when we become a believer in Christ.”

Wilkin then shared how we are called to a life of holiness. She read 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification,” followed by 4:7, “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” She went on to explain that we never have to wonder what the will of God is for our lives, for God’s will is that we would be holy just as God is holy.

“God is the God of all outcomes,” she said. “We think that we have to make the right choice, so that we can have the right outcome, but God sits outside of time and He holds all outcomes in His hands. We don’t trust in outcomes. We trust in the God of all outcomes. So, we don’t ask Him for information; we ask him for wisdom to live this day well and to grow in holiness.”

Wilkin has authored several books, including “In His Image,” “None Like Him” and “Women of the Word.” She has also authored numerous Bible studies, including “Better: A Study of Hebrews” and “God of Creation: A Study of Genesis 1-11.” She has organized and led studies for women in home, church and parachurch contexts. Wilkin and her family are members of The Village Church in Dallas.