At the end of a meal, I sometimes smile when a fortune cookie arrives at the table. It looks ordinary, a folded little cookie, but what makes it fun is the slip of paper inside. You never know quite what it will say. Sometimes it’s silly, sometimes puzzling, and sometimes it’s just the word you needed to hear.

In many ways, life is like a fortune cookie. On the outside, our days can look plain and ordinary—wake up, work, chores, meals, repeat. But tucked inside each day are hidden messages of grace, hope, and wisdom from God.

Matthew 6:25–34

1. Do Not Worry About Daily Needs

Jesus teaches that life is more than food, drink, or clothing. God provides for the birds of the air. He also provides for the flowers of the field. We can trust that He will also care for us. Worry doesn’t add to our lives; instead, it drains us.

2. Trust God’s Provision

The passage emphasizes God’s care and provision. If He clothes the grass of the field with such beauty, He will certainly deliver for His children. This calls us to release anxiety and grow in faith that God knows what we need before we even ask.

3. Seek God’s Kingdom First

The conclusion is the central teaching. It states: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” All these things will be given to you as well. Do not be consumed by tomorrow’s uncertainties. We are called to live faithfully in the present. Prioritize God’s will with confidence. Trust that He will supply what is truly needed.

Let’s look at the fortune cookie. When we seek God first – what fortune is there waiting for us?

---

1. Ordinary Outside, Extraordinary Inside

A fortune cookie by itself isn’t much. But inside, there’s a message. Life is the same. God takes the ordinary—our routines, our to-do lists, our quiet moments—and hides within them extraordinary reminders of His love. The prophet Jeremiah shares insights. He says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

---

2. Unexpected Messages

Just like a fortune cookie, life’s messages often surprise us. We never know what the next day will bring—joys, struggles, opportunities, or challenges. But Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 not to worry about tomorrow, because God provides for us today. Even in the unexpected, God’s voice whispers: “Fear not, I am with you.”

---

3. Sweet Cookie, Honest Message

The cookie is sweet, but the message inside isn’t always easy. Some are comforting; others are challenging. The same is true of God’s Word. We love verses that remind us of God’s care. We also need the ones that challenge us: “Love your enemies. Forgive those who hurt you.” Both the comfort and the challenge are gifts.

---

4. We Don’t Write the Message

We don’t write our own fortunes—someone else does. And we don’t write the ultimate story of our lives—God does. That can be humbling, but it’s also freeing. Even when we don’t understand what’s unfolding, we can trust that God’s message is good. “All things work together for good for those who love God.”

---

5. Messages Are Meant to Be Shared

When someone opens a fortune cookie, the first thing they usually do is share it around the table. That’s our call, too. God’s message of love isn’t meant to be folded up and kept inside. It’s meant to be shared—in words, in actions, in how we live each day.

---

The Sweetest Message of All

So yes, life is like a fortune cookie. It’s ordinary on the outside and surprising on the inside. Sometimes it’s sweet, sometimes it’s challenging, but it is always filled with meaning. Here is the sweetest message: God loves you. God is with you. God has a plan for your life.

Crack open your day, look for the hidden message, and share it with someone else. You might just find it’s exactly what they needed, too.