“The Generous Invitation”
Sermon, August 16, 2009
Rev. Kathie S. Pownall
This week I read the following “wise” statements:
o Men and women will act rationally when all other possibilities have been
exhausted.
o Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans.
o People will accept your idea more readily, if you tell them that Benjamin
Franklin said it first.
o Never go to bed with anyone crazier than you.
o In every organization there will be one person who knows what is going
on. This person must be fired.
o Everything depends.
o The best angle from which to approach any problem is the try-angle.
o Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
o Common sense is not that common
This morning’s thoughts are centered on “wisdom.” Our lesson
from Proverbs, simply stated, is: “Wisdom is better than foolishness.”
Ephesians gives the same counsel: "Be careful then how you live,
not as unwise people but as wise." This is clearly stated BUT
Proverbs gives a more detailed explanation of the benefits of choosing the
ways of wisdom. And it is anything but SIMPLE!
In Proverbs, wisdom is often personified, or given human
characteristics. In this particular passage, she, referring to “wisdom” is
busy constructing a home and hosting a feast.
First, she builds her house, which includes carving out "seven
pillars." Maybe this is a palace. In ancient times, seven pillars were built
into the house of wealthy aristocrats. Possibly the house refers to the
universe, in which case they could be the pillars of the earth.
Wisdom’s main activity is to host a lavish feast. “She has
slaughtered her animals and mixed her wine.” Common folks did not
usually consume meat and wine together in ancient times so this must
have been a very special feast. Maybe this food and drink was a metaphor
for the banquet of life and those who take part in this meal connect with
walking on the straight path of understanding.
The important thing is that the invitation is issued to all people – the
haves and the have-nots. Such an inclusive invitation reminds us of Jesus'
parable where, after the honored guests responded with regrets, all were
invited to the feast. Wisdom sends out her servants to invite people to the
feast but she also gives a personal invitation herself.
The benefits of following Wisdom are received only by answering her
invitation, gathering in her house and eating and drinking her offered gifts.
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At the end of this chapter in Proverbs we find Wisdom pitted against
Folly. One must choose between them. Folly also speaks to the simple and
those that are without sense. "Whoever is simple, turn in here! To those
without sense, she says..."
BUT, there is a huge difference between Wisdom and Folly. While
Wisdom offers meat and wine, Folly is serving bread and water. The meal
Folly is serving is death. Even though the obvious choice is Wisdom there
are some who continue to choose Folly to continue in the way of simplicity
instead of wisdom.
The wise person dwells in Wisdom's house, where there are ample
provisions and life, in contrast with the house of Folly with its lesser
offerings and its death. Dwelling in the house of Wisdom is a life long
process for the one who answers the invitation.
I suggest that we think of “wisdom” as Spiritual Intelligence and we
take a few minutes to understand how to develop it so that we can be
whole - to have an effective life. I would like you to consider these possible
seven pillars of Spiritual Intelligence:
FIRST: Try to have a Christ-influenced self-concept. Look at yourself
as God’s beloved, not arrogant or proud but rather courageous, confident
and peaceful in your approach to life.
SECOND: Develop a Christ-influenced concept of other people.
Having a Christ-influenced concept of other people results in a radical
respect for the dignity of every person, from conception to death. Seek to
be in communion with one another as community, as family. Even seek out
strangers as brothers and sisters.
THIRD: Live a life of stewardship. Our culture encourages us to
accumulate things and look for security in wealth. An attitude of
stewardship recognizes that all things are God’s. Spiritual Intelligence
urges us to seek social justice for the use of our gifts of time, talent and
treasure for the common good, for the world and for our church
communities.
FOURTH: Develop a balance between contemplation and action. As
an example, Jesus had a passion for solitude, but he was also an activist.
As an activist he regularly retreated to be with Abba and to be filled with
the Holy Spirit. Our lives ought not to be all busyness. They should not
reflect the "hurry" sickness seen in our culture. Overly busy people
become emotionally spiritually depleted. Spend some each day totally
devoted to developing oneness with God. This will help you not to “react”
to life but to be able to discern and respond.
FIFTH: Develop an “Easter” attitude about life remembering that all
of life is about life, death and resurrection, over and over again. The final
experience of death, releases us into the fullness of resurrection. When we
understand this we are more likely to have a profound sense of meaning in
the face of life’s deep, mysterious questions about sickness, suffering and
death.
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SIXTH: Live the way of forgiveness. Engage the practical steps of
saying, "I am sorry" or "I forgive you" countless times. Forgiveness can
relieve us of so many of the burdens we carry around with us each day.
SEVENTH PILLAR: Be grounded in God. Spiritually intelligent people
sense God in most of the people and events of life. They perceive that God
is with them and this results in a peace, a comfort and also a challenge - a
challenge to live the way of life taught by Jesus,
Jesus is the embodiment of spiritual intelligence. A disciple asked,
“Holy One, what is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?” The
Holy One answered: “When you have knowledge, you use a torch to show
the way. When you are wise, you become the torch.”
Colossians 3:16 (Contemporary English Version)
16Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you
use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts,
sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Now go and do these things. AMEN
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Desert Castle by Muhammadi Zuhal Karamanli
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