Biblical Wisdom that Comes from Age
In the book of Job, Job mocked his aged “counselors” for being older but not wise. “Is not wisdom found among the aged? "Does not life bring understanding?” Job asked. He then told them: “True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for.” (Job 12:12)
In many ways, I enjoy getting or being older. There is a richness in having a history with God in knowing that when I pray, He is already on it... He is Faithful and Omniscient. When I pray for His Will, I know that He will be magnified in ways that I cannot imagine... He is a Creative Provider. And He knows the “number of my days” which gives freedom in living fully each day.
But I admit that the challenge of being the oldest person in the family (and now, in most “rooms”) is in controlling my responses to others: advice, opinions, facial expressions, and “aughts!” can slip out so easily. Offering unsolicited counseling as Job’s friends did, usually elicits negative "vibes” in the room. But like Job’s counselors, seniors can easily believe that one has earned the right to speak their minds by nature of the years on this Earth.
The questions for followers of Christ at any age are: "What would Jesus (have us) do?” or “How does my love for God inspire someone to want to seek God for themselves?”
In my early twenties, it was the white-haired, Christian women and men who were the most encouraging to me. Recognizing my thirst for God, one woman consistently recommended and offered challenging, Christian books for me to read. In an inter-generational Bible study, an older couple inspired me to seek God in my dating relationships. “Elva” had pure white hair and a wonderful sense of humor; she consistently offered words of Godly wisdom. I wanted the joy that Elva had for Jesus.
Years later, after I had spoken in a church service it was a much older, white-haired man who said some very encouraging words to me about my talk. His words were powerful and meaningful to me, obviously even to this day.
What is my point? Opinions and insight can make for an interesting conversation – when one is asked. But what is more important? We who have white hair must keep growing in our walk with the Father asking for wisdom to “see” those who are younger and encourage them to seek God for themselves. God’s command for the older Israelites who were entering the Promised Land was: “Remember the Lord and teach what you have seen and heard to the next generations.” (Deuteronomy 4:9). Offering an opinion is not a command.
In His love for mankind Jesus saw and addressed people where they were.
Spending time with Nicodemus at night (John 3), going out of his way to approach the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), and answering the questions of his very young Disciples who had difficulty in understanding His teachings (John 6).
Jesus often answered questions, not with advice, but by asking questions that made people think for themselves (Luke 5:22, Luke 6:32, or Luke 8:25, for just a few examples). Questions to grandchildren can be about their understanding of Christmas, who their friends are, or just about their schoolwork, letting them know that not only do we care, but it allows for a window of discussion about what is important in this world.
Jesus prayed for future generations, too. In John 17:13 Jesus asked the Father that future believers in Him “may have the full measure of my joy within them.” (That prayer is for us!) Just last week our three-year-old granddaughter leaned over to me and asked, “Kay, you do know you’re not a kid, right?” Maybe. Sometimes I tend to forget.
The Great Commission begins with our families and should continue in the church. “Teach us to number our days...” (Psalm 90:12) “...that we may gain a heart of wisdom” is not necessarily a focus on dying. It is about purposefully living for God every twenty-four-hour day so that our wonder and delight in Him cannot help but show in our words as well as in our actions and spontaneous facial expressions.
We must pray every day for our grandchildren and kids of all ages, asking God to open our eyes to acknowledge them right where they are: orange hair, ripped jeans, and earbuds in place. We cannot take on every person, but we can be an "Elva” or an “encouraging-white-haired man” who sees the next generation through the Father’s eyes of Love.
Questions for the grey-haired-crown-of-splendored adults (Proverbs 16:31):
Can I personally say that I experienced God’s Love in a new way in the past week?
As a grandparent, will my grandchildren remember me for the gifts I gave them or for the love of Jesus that I constantly displayed to them in my words, time spent with them, and in my very facial expressions?
Do I pray fervently for my grandchild to know Jesus personally... no matter what it takes?
Am I purposefully encouraging children, teens, or young adults in my family or church?
Do I want to be known for my personal opinions or more for my love of Jesus?
Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven, for the years that are displayed in grey or white hair, we thank you. For those who shared the Gospel with us, we thank you. Please forgive our daily desire to counsel others apart from you. Instead, give us your Grace to “see” and pray for future generations to know you, as Jesus did. Give us the desire to initiate connections that will lead others to have a thirst for You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
