Fortune Cookie Wisdom

Day Nineteen

Fortune Cookie Wisdom  (Read Proverbs 8:22-31)

"Once, I opened up a fortune cookie, and inside was the guy's cheque next to me. I said hey buddy, I got your cheque, and he said thanks." ~ Rodney Dangerfield

Wonton Food Inc., based in New York, is the largest manufacturer of fortune cookies in the world. The company has around 15,000 fortunes in its database to insert into its cookies. Former executive Donald Lau wrote most of the fortunes when first hired. His inspiration for fortunes was derived from many sources, including but not limited to newspapers, signs, and daily conversations. Writer's block eventually set in, ending Mr. Lau's wisdom writings. Today, the company relies upon freelance writers for new wisdom material. Possibly, one day, you can write fortune cookie wisdom.

"Who needs astrology? The wise man gets by on fortune cookies." ~ Edward Abbey

If you were tasked with personifying wisdom, who would wisdom represent? Would it be a parent, friend, mentor, sponsor, therapist, coach, spouse, stranger, seer, goat, priest, rabbi, sage, or a Higher Power? In our Scripture today, Wisdom is God personified. This means God's Word and Wisdom are One, as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are Three in One.

When we seek God, we discover wisdom, and if we seek wisdom, the only true wisdom will come from God, not a fortune cookie. The biggest challenge for any of us is to practice God's wisdom in all our affairs. Why? Because we love sin too much to leave it. The practice of God's wisdom changes us. Wise people are fortunate because they obey God's Word and avoid fortune cookie wisdom.

²² "The Lord formed me from the beginning,
    before he created anything else.
²³ I was appointed in ages past,
    at the very first, before the earth began.
²⁴ I was born before the oceans were created,
    before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
²⁵ Before the mountains were formed,
    before the hills, I was born—

In verses 22-31, you'll discover that Lord Jesus Christ is speaking. "I was appointed" is referring to the One who is the subject in John's prologue:

1 In the beginning, the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
² He existed in the beginning with God.

The author of our Scripture reading today is Solomon. Solomon uses life-and-death terms to describe the importance of our decision to pursue or ignore wisdom, and our acceptance or rejection of Jesus is truly a life-or-death matter. The only way to enjoy eternal life is through a relationship with him (1 John 5:11-12). Friends, wisdom is Jesus Christ. What a beautiful picture that is for humankind.

God created you for a personal relationship. In that relationship, you will discover peace, acceptance, grace, mercy, love, joy, hope, and wisdom. Your fallen nature separates you from God and leaves you searching and clinging to people, places, and things for the fruits of the Spirit, including horoscopes, astrology, and even fortune cookies.

In closing, heed the wisdom of the Prophet Harry Callahan, a.k.a. Dirty Harry:

Harry Callahan: [friendly] You forgot your fortune cookie!

Gunman #1: [confused, yells] What?

Harry Callahan: It says...

[pauses]

Harry Callahan: "You're s**t outta luck!" [Harry shoots him]

Don't be that guy! Toss the cookie; instead, follow Jesus, and you'll become wise!