Has your presence ever been requested by more than one person at the same time? Have you ever wanted to be in two places at the same time? It isn’t possible no matter how much we may want to; we have to choose. Sometimes where we should go is a very easy decision to make; sometimes it’s much harder. And sometimes the choice will alter the path of our lives.

Today we are invited to two different ‘places’ by two different ‘people’. 

You are invited to a feast given by Wisdom:

Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine; she has also furnished her table. She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live; and go in the way of understanding”. V: 1-6

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Right in the middle, before the second invitation is issued, comes the following: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.V.10

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You are invited to a feast given by Folly:

A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat by the highest places of the city, to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their way: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; and as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.

For Today: Do you notice the similarities of the invitation? The simple are being called in. Not just casually, but with great eagerness. But there are many more differences. Wisdom has a home well prepared to meet the needs of any guest. She calls from THE highest place, and invites the guest to leave behind what is perishing for something eternal. It is an offer that holds much appeal. Folly has an offer that quickly appeals to the flesh; something ‘off limits’ is presented for the taking; it is wrong….the one offering knows it, as does the one who was in the process of going straight on their way. But what he doesn’t know, and what she’ll never tell him is just how rotten the forbidden fruit really is. Friends all of us know the power of our sinful desires, no matter what they may be. Sin is pleasurable; Satan makes sure of that. And the desire of our flesh for immediate gratification is very real. But we are more than just robots who have no choice but to give in. We are made of flesh but we are made with a will that can override our flesh. Praise God we are not destined to follow pleasure; we are designed to follow the Prince of Peace.

So as you begin a new day or finish an old one; think about the choices that face you. Two very passionate offers call to you over and over again: both want ALL OF YOU. Weknow what each wants. We know one loves us and one hates us. We know one will bring us good all the days of our life and the other will destroy all the life we have left. We know because God has told us. We are accountable for what we know.

May you and I walk with Wisdom always: as individuals, and together.