FOOLISHNESS & WISDOM

                                                                Foolishness & Wisdom

Picture from Web

Foolishness was feeding some pigeons when he asked Wisdom to sit down. ‘Not so fast’ replied Wisdom. This bench has just been painted!’ ‘How did you know?’ replied Foolishness as he stood up to check his clothing. There were stripes on the back of his shirt. ‘Situational awareness,’ said Wisdom, ‘Benches sometimes can be wet with rain or paint! Better not to rush in without first checking. Besides, I just passed a painter!'

As they began walking Foolishness asked Wisdom how he had become so wise. ‘As I already said, situational awareness. What do you expect to see, taste, and smell at a coffee shop?’ ‘Coffee?’ replied Foolishness. ‘That is your second step towards becoming wise.’ ‘What was the first step?’ ‘It was in your asking the question.’ Foolishness pondered this as he tried to figure out which sort of coffee to have. The roar of the coffee-grinder and steamer helped him decide. They sat down and like a kid with a cream cake, Foolishness used his finger to sample his cappuccino’s chocolate. ‘We have five senses’, said Wisdom. Foolishness had a quizzical look on his face. ‘What does that have to doing with becoming wise?’ ‘Situational awareness’ was Wisdom’s terse reply. ‘Please elaborate.’

‘The sign says, “Coffee Shop”. You were able to hear your coffee being made, and you could see, smell, taste, and even touch it. That’s situational awareness. Next, you’re aware that someone made your coffee. The ingredients didn’t all bump into each other accidentally to form a coffee just to your liking. The waiter simply followed your order.’ Foolishness sipped his coffee and nodded for Wisdom to go on. ‘Likewise, chemicals didn’t accidently mix together to create you.’ Foolishness rashly interjected, ‘I don’t like the word “create”. It makes you sound like once of those closed-minded people.’ ‘But Foolishness, you are the one walking around in prison stripes!’ He almost sprayed coffee on Wisdom as they both had a good laugh at this observation. ‘My use of the word ‘create’ automatically makes you think of the Creator. But He opens minds and transforms them. For only the fool says in his heart that there is no God! Therefore, it is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom.’ You’re living in God’s world. He owns it.

‘What does God have to do with this situational awareness you keep on speaking about?’ asked Foolishness. ‘Well, it’s a closed mind that lacks any sense of its surroundings. Picture your five senses as pigeons bringing you little messages.’ Foolishness liked this idea. ‘Well, it’s God the Holy Spirit, the Heavenly Dove, that brings God’s Word to wherever He is welcome to roost. But, like a window, the mind, must first be opened.’ ‘You mean like the Noah’s ark story where the dove returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf? What then does God offer me?’ ‘An olive branch, peace! A pardon and freedom’ ‘You’re making me feel like the Birdman of Alcatraz!’ They laughed again. ‘How do I escape this prison that you see me as being in?’ ‘Situational awareness! See yourself as one who has sinned against God. Receive His full pardon by repenting and believing in His Gospel.’ ‘And what is His Gospel?’ ‘In brief it’s that Jesus died to take away the sins of everyone who believes in God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’

It was then that Foolishness began to realise that the people in café were in groups and he could hear them praying to God – for his salvation. ‘You do know,’ said Wisdom, ‘that this is our church’s coffee shop? I was asked to invite a friend.’ ‘Me?!’ Foolishness began to become aware of his situation.