Wisdom: Simple Stuff
Text: Proverbs 8
Aldersgate
I. Silence sometimes says all that is needed
a. a story on public radio
i. At some point over long weekend
ii. A unique Memorial Day speech
b. Selectman Calvin Parker delivered the best speech ever
i. At town-wide celebration
ii. Everyone was congratulating him
iii. Walked to the podium and said
1. What words do we have to express the honor and solemnity of this day?
2. That which has been given by all whom we remember this day is far beyond mere words.
3. So I propose five minutes of silence
a. Enjoying the beauty of this day
b. And remembering the valor of our heroes and heroines
iv. And they had done just that
1. The service was over
2. and Calvin was hearing the words of congratulations
3. yet his guilt was in high gear
v. For just a few minutes ago
1. as he sat watching the Memorial Day parade
2. He had wondered to himself whose turn it was to deliver annual speech
3. He realized when his name was called out that is was his turn
c. Today, I feel as though we are faced with a similar dilemma
i. No, it’s not that I forgot it was my turn to deliver the sermon
ii. Rather, “What can we say about wisdom, particularly on this solemn day?”
iii. The fewer words I offer the better
II. Remind us of a few things that we hear in Proverbs
a. Wisdom was there at the beginning
i. Wisdom is there in creation playing an important role
ii. some rabbis say the Hebrew word
1. representing a playful child image with God
2. can also be understood as the architectural drawings of God the Master Architect
iii. Those who are wise recognize the interdependence we have with God’s creation
1. This wondrous world is our home
2. when we put toxins in the air, we breathe them in
3. when we burn gasses that warm the atmosphere, we cause climate change
4. often youth are wiser on this matter than their parents and elders
b. Wisdom is playful
i. Today’s decorations suggest that when God separated the light of truth and love it was like a first rainbow of colors –
ii. Wisdom’s symbol could be a rainbow
1. Pollyanna movie
a. bitter old woman
b. angry old man
2. playing with prisms that reflect rainbows when sun shines through them
iii. Wisdom takes delight in humanity
1. wants to see us laugh and smile
2. So wanted to share one pearl of wisdom I read this week
a. I grew up with a girl
i. who is now a woman
ii. that’s what happens when you grow up
b. this girl had a photographic memory
i. Got all A’s
ii. Won every academic prize, except one, at our graduation
iii. Made me think I could never be wise
c. But happy to learn this week that “Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don’t have film.”
iv. remember wisdom is playful
v. let’s always enjoy the holy humor that we find
c. Wisdom is not a state of being so much as it is the result of a journey with God
i. Starts with a respect and reverence for God
ii. Look back over life and realize the wisdom you’ve gathered along the way
iii. Rabbi Ben-Azai says
1. In seeking wisdom one is wise;
2. in imagining that one has attained wisdom means that one is a fool
d. Life is not as easy as Proverbs suggests
i. Sometimes we mess up
1. we do something that hurts ourselves and others
2. we find ourselves on a dead end street
a. no way out
b. turn around and go back
And sometimes we do nothing wrong yet a random occurrence turns our lives upside down
ii. Yet wisdom is not hiding
1. very visible
2. very public
iii. her words are true and valuable; they will help you get through the hard times
iv. they can be trusted
e. Summarize in three statements the teachings of Wisdom
i. God is love.
ii. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
1. Be hospitable. What’s that mean?
a. Friendly
b. Warm
c. Open
d. Generous
2. Be kind.
3. Accept responsibility when you’ve made a mistake.
iii. God always forgives when we turn back to his ways.
III. Wisdom is simple stuff
a. All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
i. Reminds us of how simple wisdom is
ii. Listen to the lessons we learned
1. Share everything.
2. Play fair.
3. Don’t hit people.
4. Put things back where you found them.
5. Clean up your own mess.
6. Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
7. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
8. Wash your hands before you eat.
9. Flush.
10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
11. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work everyday some.
12. Take a nap every afternoon.
13. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
14. Be aware of wonder.
b. So let’s just sit for a few minutes in silence and consider Wisdom and God