What's Your Vote: Wisdom or Folly?

We’ve already voted!

Yes, you read that right, “we’ve already voted.” And, we’ve voted with our lives. The following is from Planet Wisdom Devotionals. In light of what Frank taught last night, I think this is an appropriate, continuing theme.

In case some of you missed it, the NOOMA video he showed last night with the guy running, and running, and running, and then ending up on the beach, with all those other people already there…waiting, watching, ready….and then it ends with the sunrise -- what WAS that all about? For me, they were running TOWARD God and eagerly awaiting His presence in their lives. For others, it was a symbol of “TODAY”. They were eagerly awaiting the beginning of TODAY.

If you’ve voted for Wisdom, you too are running towards God. You eagerly wait for His direction, His tutelage, His quickening of your spirit.

If you’ve voted for Folly (the Whore), you are running away from God. You rely on your own counsel. You eagerly await that which will benefit you the most at the cost of others.
Enough of my commentary – read on. And, begin again running to God TODAY!

VOTE FOR WISDOM!

[Note: The following devo is NOT really about politics or political parties. It is NOT about what presidential candidate you or anyone else should vote for this year. It’s an analogy. Or a metaphor. I’m never sure which is which.]

Wisdom: “Let all who are simple come in here!” (Proverbs 9:4)
Folly: “Let all who are simple come in here!” (Proverbs 9:16)

Have you noticed we’re in the height of the political campaign season? Of course you’ve noticed! The ads and news talk about all the candidates and their positions and their promises and personality glitches -- it never stops. Who won the last primary and why? Who’s the frontrunner? Why do voters make their choices?

Young voters have been a big deal in the primaries. On the Democratic side, we’re told they gave Obama a huge boost in one state, but not in another. Newscasters: “Who do the young people like where you’re at, Jim?” “Well, Brett, it looks like the young people are making their choice for . . .”

Proverbs 9 could be read as a kind of political campaign. And this election battle is all about the young voters like you. You’ve got two candidates to choose from. Both make speeches. Both briefly describe their very different worldviews on the hot issues. (Perfect soundbites.) Both want your vote. And both candidates are women!

Even crazier: Both candidates are inviting young people (really, anyone lacking experience in life) to join their party. No, not a political party. An actual party in each of their prominent homes in the best part of town. Listen:

Ms. Wisdom: “Let all who are simple come in here! Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.” (v. 6)

Ms. Folly: “Let all who are simple come in here! Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”

You’re going to notice right away these two women have very different platforms.

I should also mention that the voting process is a little different, as well. Instead of making an “X” on a ballot or voting machine, you vote for these candidates by moving in with one of them. Or at least hanging out at either of their houses. You vote with your time, with how you spend your life, really. You’re not voting for a leader -- you’re voting for your own lifestyle. (And you’re never too young to start voting in this election.)

Let’s break down their basic messages.

Ms. Wisdom believes you cannot understand your own life if you don’t start by giving all your respect and support to the God who designed your life. (“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” she always says.) If you vote for her by getting to know God better and allowing her to help you learn to live His way, she promises three huge good things: “understanding,” long life, and “reward.”

She goes a little negative about her opponent. Wisdom says those who reject her and vote for Folly -- she calls them “mockers” -- will basically end up clueless and suffering (and maybe lonely).

Ms. Folly responds in verses 13-17. She’s cagey. She refuses to get into the debate with Wisdom. You’ll notice right away she’s kind of a mess (“loud,” “undisciplined,” “without knowledge”). But she makes one bold campaign promise that wins over lots of young voters: “Move in with me, and we’ll have a blast! I know how to party! Don’t let wisdom tell you how to live; do your own thing! Try it all! Why put limits on your own life or let others tell you what to do? Make your own choices to do whatever feels good in the moment. That’s what I call living."

Well, those are the candidates. You will vote one way or the other. There’s always 100 percent turnout. Every day, we either choose to live with wisdom or foolishness, to live by God’s design or to do whatever feels right to us.

In the last verse of the chapter, you get the idea the writer is on Wisdom’s side. He makes a nasty (but true!) editorial comment about people who vote for Folly, suggesting they're not "really living" at all.
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Here is Proverbs 9 from The Message:

Proverbs 9:1-18 Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers. (2) The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers. (3) Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: (4) "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! (5) I've prepared a wonderful spread--fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. (6) Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning." (7) If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. (8) So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different--they'll love you for it! (9) Save your breath for the wise--they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know--they'll profit from it. (10) Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-GOD, insight into life from knowing a Holy God. (11) It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen. (12) Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you. Madame Whore Calls Out, Too (13) Then there's this other woman, Madame Whore-- brazen, empty-headed, frivolous. (14) She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street, (15) And as people walk by minding their own business, calls out, (16) "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? (17) Steal off with me, I'll show you a good time! No one will ever know--I'll give you the time of your life." (18) But they don't know about all the skeletons in her closet, that all her guests end up in hell.

Choose Wisdom, choose Life, choose God!

I love you!

C'iao-M