Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?” – Proverbs 1:20-22

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Voice in the Crowd
By Jennifer Kane

Wisdom stands at the edge of the street,
calling out—steady, steady—
her words flowing like water
through cracked and thirsty ground.

“Turn from your path,” she says,
but her voice is a quiet ripple,
lost in the thunder of footsteps,
the endless hum of hurried lives.

People rush by,
eyes fixed on distant goals,
ears closed to the invitation
woven into her words,
promises like seeds waiting to grow.

She calls to the scoffers, the indifferent,
her voice gentle, patient, full of ache,
but they walk on, heads bent,
distracted by glittering things
that slip through their fingers.

And her words scatter like leaves,
tossed aside by the wind,
her wisdom fading into the air,
a gift unclaimed,
a song left unheard.

One day they’ll remember,
maybe too late,
how her voice was there all along—
a quiet path, just beside the noise,
leading them home.

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In Proverbs 1:20-22, wisdom is vividly personified as a woman crying out from the bustling places where people live and work, showing that God’s guidance is accessible to everyone, right in the midst of our daily lives. Wisdom calls from the “open squares” and “city gates,” places full of people and conversations, reminding us that God’s guidance is not hidden—it’s out in the open, waiting for us to listen.

Wisdom’s voice rises above the noise, reaching out to every one of us. She calls not just in secluded spaces but in public, where our daily decisions unfold. Her cry reveals God’s deep desire to lead and protect us. As the commentator Poole observes, the earnestness in wisdom’s voice reflects God’s longing for us to turn to Him, leaving us “inexcusable” if we ignore His call.

But in the busyness of modern life, with its constant notifications and competing voices, we may find wisdom’s call hard to hear. We can easily get caught up in the endless stream of information and opinions. Yet, even in this noise, God’s wisdom is there, waiting for us to make space and tune in.

What distractions might be drowning out God’s wisdom in your life? Is it the pull of social media, the drive for success, or simply the fast pace of everyday demands? Today, consider how you might create a space in your heart to hear wisdom’s call anew.

Wisdom calls out particularly to the “simple ones”—not the unintelligent, but those who are easily led astray, those who lack discernment. The question “How long will you love simplicity?” shows us that it’s not ignorance alone that keeps us from wisdom; it’s often our choice to remain as we are. Wisdom asks us to step beyond our comfort zones, to pursue depth, discernment, and godly growth.

Are there areas in your life where you’re choosing simplicity over wisdom? Maybe it’s a reluctance to address a challenging area or a desire to avoid discomfort. Ask God to reveal any places in your heart where you may be resisting His wisdom and to grant you the courage to respond.

Take time this week to seek God’s wisdom with intention. Set aside a few moments each day in silence, inviting God to guide you. Whether you’re at work, home, or in your community, pause and listen for how God might be speaking. Reflect on the ways wisdom calls you to move beyond complacency and into a fuller, deeper faith.

Where do you hear wisdom’s voice most clearly in your life? Is it through Scripture, the encouragement of godly friends, or in times of prayer? Consider the people, practices, and places that help you connect with God’s guidance. Make these a priority to allow space for His wisdom to reach you.

As you grow in wisdom, reflect on moments when following God’s guidance required a difficult choice or sacrifice. How has pursuing wisdom shaped you? Each decision to follow wisdom draws us closer to God’s heart and His purpose for us.

God’s wisdom is not reserved for scholars or the “super-spiritual.” It’s available to each one of us—an invitation to know God more deeply, to align our hearts with His. Let’s answer wisdom’s call and pursue a faith that moves beyond simplicity into the richness of God’s truth.

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Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of wisdom, always reaching out, always calling us back to You. Forgive us when we allow the noise of the world to drown out Your voice. Open our ears to hear and our hearts to receive Your guidance, even when it challenges us to grow. Give us the courage to step away from the comfort of simplicity and embrace the path of wisdom, knowing it draws us closer to You.

Teach us, Lord, to walk in Your truth and to seek Your wisdom in every part of our lives. May Your voice guide our decisions and shape our character. Help us to discern Your will, to let go of anything that keeps us from knowing You more, and to trust that Your wisdom will lead us to places of growth, peace, and purpose.

We surrender our plans and desires to You, Lord, asking that Your wisdom direct our steps. In all that we do, may we reflect Your love and grace, shining as lights in a world that so desperately needs Your truth. Amen.

November 1 2024