I’m delighted to share a post about wisdom from my friend Annie Yorty. She recently released her new book, “25 Symbols of Christmas, Finding Jesus.” Please enjoy this inspiring message and consider checking out her book. Thank you.
Seek Wisdom and Find Jesus
Can making candy teach us about Jesus? In my newly released Christmas devotional, 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus, I share about my annual attempt to concoct a sweet treat called opera fudge. This tradition taught me to seek wisdom not only for my recipe, but also for my life.
A Persnickety Candy
Prevalent in Pennsylvania Dutch country, opera fudge, contrary to its name, is not fudge. Instead, the delectable candy consists of a rich center of cooked cream, butter, and sugar coated in bittersweet chocolate.
The opera fudge recipe is deceptively simple, with only a few ingredients. I followed my great aunt Amy’s written directions to the letter, so I assumed my finished product would be perfect. But time and again, I had to dump my botched candy into the trash.
In the devotion, I tell how I finally conquered my candy quest. I enlisted the help of my mom, who had personally made opera fudge with Aunt Amy. We poured over a page filled with additional details for each step of the process. With the wisdom of a more experienced confectioner, my opera fudge finally tasted perfect.
Seek Wisdom
My experience with opera fudge reminds me to seek God’s wisdom to navigate the twists and turns of life.
What is wisdom? I think of wisdom as knowing the Word of God and understanding how to apply it to our lives. The Bible says God’s Word is living and active, but it never changes. Written thousands of years before our time, the Bible remains relevant and applicable to the life of every person from every generation and culture.
God does not want us to compartmentalize wisdom in one area of our lives. Instead, it should permeate all our decisions, circumstances, problems, and relationships.
Two Life-Changing Truths about Wisdom
1. God is the only source of true wisdom.
We’re prone to trust our own intellect, but God warns against this in Isaiah. “’My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT).
As our omniscient Creator, God knew all the events of our lives from beginning to end even before we were born. He also sees every thought and motive of our hearts. Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” (Matthew 7:24 NLT). When we seek wisdom, we find Jesus.
2. God’s wisdom is constantly available to us.
God freely offers wisdom to anyone who asks. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5 NLT). Anytime you’re craving a “yes” answer to your prayer, seek wisdom from God.
Attributes of God’s Wisdom
Sometimes we wonder if we’re hearing from God, or if we’re listening to our own voice bouncing around in our heads. Other times, we may receive advice that sounds reasonable, but how do we know if the counsel is truly God’s wisdom?
First, we compare the idea to the Bible. If anything we contemplate does not match biblical principles, we know we have not heard God’s wisdom.
The following verses help us identify attributes of God’s wisdom.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. (James 3:17 NLT, emphasis added)
My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. (Proverbs 24:13-14 NLT, emphasis added)
The characteristics in these verses remind us of Jesus. He exemplified wisdom for us. He is the Light of the World, so we can rely on wisdom to enlighten us, to show the path we should choose.
Seek Wisdom and Find Jesus for Life
I wasted several years trying and failing to make opera fudge without the culinary wisdom of an expert. We don’t want to make the same mistake spiritually.
The Apostle Paul tells us to use our days wisely. “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT).
Friends, our time here on earth is limited, and we don’t want to squander our days by relying on own recipe for life rather than seeking the wisdom of God.
Would you like to add meaning to your Advent season with free resources and 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus? Visit my website to download a Christmas journal page to record your heart thoughts. If you have children and would like to read the devotions aloud with them, I offer a coloring page for each day. Also, you can use my Candy Cane Gospel to tell people about Jesus throughout the season. Go deeper with each devotion when you view short daily videos at my YouTube channel. The links are listed below.
I wish you a merry Christmas and pray you know Jesus better than ever by the beginning of the new year.
Connecting with Annie:
25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus: https://mybook.to/yksqv
Free Christmas resources to download: https://annieyorty.com/books/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@annieyorty1014
My blog–Perceive God: https://annieyorty.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieYorty2020
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annieyorty/
Crosswalk: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/annie-yorty/
From Ignorance to Bliss (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1649498365/ref
Empowering Homeschool Conversations: https://www.spedhomeschool.com/podcast
Ordinary Moms of Extraordinary Kids podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/ordinarymoms/
Bio
Award-winning author Annie Yorty writes and speaks to encourage others to perceive God’s presence in the unexpected twists and turns of life. She has written From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed through Down Syndrome and a devotional, 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus. She also contributes devotions and articles at Crosswalk.com and co-hosts Empowering Homeschool Conversations, the authority in homeschooling diverse learners.
Married to her high school sweetheart and living in Pennsylvania, Annie mothers three adult children (one with intellectual disabilities). A lifelong learner, Annie seeks new and eclectic challenges. She gravitates toward anything crafty or creative—except sewing clothes. Sporadically, she works at learning to play the piano and the ukulele. Always open to travel adventure, Annie helps organize mission teams that share God’s love around the world. She wishes she had more time to read, crochet, and practice Russian. Amidst the fun, challenges, and chaos, Annie encourages others to look upward with her and perceive God. Annie would love to meet with you at AnnieYorty.com.
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Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Thanks for sharing from Annie’s wonderful book, Yvonne. Annie, I love your example of finding wisdom. We can’t live successfully in this world without the wisdom of God.
Amen and thanks Barbara. It is a wonderful book. God bless.
I believe I’ve proved that point a time or two, Barbara. 🙂 God bless!
I’ve never heard of opera fudge. Interesting. Yes, we need God today and always. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Me either, sounds good. Thanks Melissa and God bless.
Melissa, I’ve lived in many places, but I’ve only found opera fudge where I grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch country (think Amish). Merry Christmas!
Yvonne, thank you for graciously inviting me to share about Jesus with your audience. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Annie. Merry Christmas
Too often, I think I can figure out things on my own. Just like your efforts with opera fudge, Annie. If only I’d turn to God for wisdom first. Great point!
Amen Candyce. I think we can all be guilty of that too. God bless
I’m a slow learner in this department too, Candyce. Thankfully, we have a very patient and loving Father God.
Yvonne, thank you for sharing Annie Yorty’s post. With every choice or decision I need to make, I have been asking myself the question: How does this align with Scripture? The question causes me to slow down and ponder my choice or decision more deeply before jumping to a conclusion. And so, this is what I appreciated from the post: God’s wisdom “should permeate all our decisions, circumstances, problems, and relationships.” Amen. May both you and Annie have a most blessed Christmas!
Thanks so much Joanne. That is a question we should all be asking ourselves daily. Merry Christmas and God bless
Joanne, what a wise question to ponder before taking action. Thanks for sharing it here. Merry Christmas to you!
Yvonne, thank you for sharing Annie’s post. What a wonderful analogy! How easy it is to think we can do things without the Lord or His wisdom. Father God, help me look to you!
Amen Melissa and thanks. God bless
Melissa, thank you for your encouraging words. God graciously uses many everyday things to teach us. God bless you!
Annie’s devotional sounds wonderful. I had never heard of opera fudge, that isn’t really fudge at all. 🙂 I like her definition of wisdom, “I think of wisdom as knowing the Word of God and understanding how to apply it to our lives.” And loved the insight that God doesn’t want us to compartmentalize wisdom in areas of our lives. That’s a good word.
Thank you Karen. It’s a wonderful book. God bless.
Karen, I’m glad you enjoyed this excerpt from 25 Symbols of Christmas. I pray you’re growing closer to Jesus all throughout this blessed season. Merry Christmas!
Sounds like a wonderful book! Love hearing about “opera fudge” … God bless you!
Thanks Jessica. Blessings to you too
Hello Jessica. I’m glad you enjoyed this devotion. Please feel free to hop over to my website (AnnieYorty.com) to check out the free downloads. I also have more information for each symbol of Christmas at my YouTube channel (@AnnieYorty1014). Christmas blessings to you!
I came to this post with special interest because my 2025 word of the year is going to be GET WISDOM!
Amen. Great word. I’m still praying about mine. Merry Christmas