Come One Come All

"Wisdom cries aloud in the streets, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:" (Proverbs 1:20-21).

Wisdom's invitation is very much a "come one come all" situation. If anyone lacks the wisdom needed to live a great life, it is only because they refuse the invitation to such a life.

How could wisdom (personified here as a pursuing woman) be more accessible? Calling in the streets, raising her voice in the markets, crying out in the crowded streets is God's very public invitation to a wonderful life.

Yet He is oftentimes ignored.

The remaining verses of Proverbs 1 describe the people who won't listen. They describe a person who loves being simple (lacking sense), delights in scoffing, and hates knowledge (see 1:22). The bottom line is that that person will suffer when life turns ugly. It seems that when that person needs wisdom after terror strikes, calamity comes, and anguish follows distress... they will struggle to find it.

To be ready for the tough times of life, we are to heed wisdom's call way before the tough times hit. It is nearly impossible to find God when life turns ugly because bitterness is part and parcel to the lifestyle of the fool.

Wisdom is calling for us to follow her through the busy and crowded streets of life. It is a very public invitation that needs an individual response. The invitation is "come one come all." What say you?