Does Age Matter?

I ran across a list today that said, “You might be old if you used a rotary phone, a floppy disk, a camera with film, had to repair a cassette tape, used a record player, had an encyclopedia set, etc. Some of those items wouldn’t even make sense to kids today. It is humbling and wonderful to see how many things have changed over the years. It does, however, give me a perspective that a teen today probably doesn’t have. I don’t take things quite as much for granted because I understand how far we have come. Hopefully that might be called wisdom. I know of others my age that still have no appreciation for what it took to get here. They are so focused on themselves and getting ahead in this world that they don’t appreciate the progress to get here or there. The Bible tells us in Job 12:12, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” There is something to be said about what one can learn from successes and failures in life. Sadly, many fail. Proverbs speaks of the fear of the Lord as being the beginning of wisdom. There are many in our great nation that lack the awe and complete surrender to God. Is it only the wise that can have wisdom? Age helps, but it is not the deciding factor. It says in Proverbs 1:5, “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance–”. In our youth, we often thought we had all the answers and didn’t need to submit to anyone. Wisdom understands limitations and what they can absorb from others. So, does this age make us shrewd businessmen, experts in our field, and fill us with all the answers? No, unless we learn to listen and learn. What then is the greatest indicator of Godly wisdom? Psalm 71:18 tells us, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” I have heard so many people say, “If only I understood spiritual things then like I do today”. We often learn too late how much living and testifying about our faith could change us, our families, and others around us. If you are younger, I pray that you gain this wisdom early. If you are among the aged, be a living example of faith in Christ Jesus. Father, teach us daily who You are and how we might serve You. May our greatest joy not be in our achievements but in souls saved. Amen