How many of us have heard “respect your elders… older people are wiser?” What about the nursery rhyme “The Wise Old Owl?” Question… was the owl wise because he was old? Is that what qualified him to be called wise? What’s up with this whole older is wiser thing anyways? Is there a message here that we should be applying to our everyday lives? Is the answer to let go and depend on God?
So, what makes an older person wiser? Well, maybe it’s because they are more experienced, they’ve lived and they’ve learned. Maybe we should all ask older people their secrets. Maybe we should actually listen to them and take their advice instead of rolling ours eyes in annoyance and doing it our own way. Have you ever thought to yourself “crap, they were right, I should have listened!” Why do we always let it get to that point? Why find out the hard way? Well it can be really hard to truly let go and depend on God!
Older people have life experience, they have messed up, made mistakes, found out they were wrong, tried a different way and have successfully exceeded in some things. All of this trial and error has made them stronger and ultimately wiser. They pretty much did all the research and homework, so why not look to them for counsel? What is their secret?
As I grow older and mature in life, I’ve learned to seek wise counsel from older Christians, and am now noticing younger women looking to me for counsel. As I mature as a woman and as a Christian, I am beginning to relate to the “older and wiser.” I get it now! My turning point of maturity and better living was when I gave up my life and stopped trying to do things in my own strength. You see, doing things “your way” just leads to destruction because it’s all wrong and turns into a huge mess. Instead, ask God what He wants, and how He wants things handled. Start depending on God instead of yourself.
I was reminded of a dream I had a couple of years ago. In the dream I was a Transformer (I’m a boy mom lol). I was fighting a Decepticon. It had been hours and I was still fighting. I was exhausted, weak and beat up. I couldn’t take it any longer. I finally tapped out and allowed Bumble Bee (another Transformer) to take over the fight. This dream made me think of how many times God wants us to let go and give it to Him. For us to stop fighting and trying to figure everything out on our own. For us to let go of our own life and allow Him to take over. We don’t have to feel tired when He is able to take care of everything for us. How many of us just need to tap out and let Bumble Bee (Jesus) take over the fight!? Let go and depend on God.
I believe this this the “older and wiser” persons secret! They have learned that their own way doesn’t work. They have given up their own ways and started depending on God instead. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take Proverbs 3:5-6. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” Matthew 11:28-30. In other words, In giving God full control of your life, although things can be demanding and hard, the power of the Holy Spirit makes it possible to get through it! I encourage you to start living like the wise! Why learn the hard way? Let’s tap out and tag Jesus in!
How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness Ecclesiastes 8:1.
