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There are some things only time can teach you. I know we don’t want to believe that anymore with our vast ‘knowledge’ and access to instant information via the internet and so many connected devices. Yet, there is a difference between informational knowledge and wisdom. By now, most of us understand that having all the right information won’t produce a right result. We may have more numbers and figures than ever to help us in making life decisions but that will never replace experience. Experience knows the emotional, gut-wrenching side of the numbers and figures. Insight and wisdom have already wept and ached and stressed and reached. They are not impressed with the latest algorithm or the newest method of understanding. Insight and wisdom has payed the price and has bought with joy and pain, the measure of understanding it has. Most of that insight and wisdom is dressed in white or grey hair, is driving slower than you want them to in your lane, and is quietly waiting for someone to value them enough to ask for their insight. Our senior citizens are the greatest source of wisdom and insight in our world and are a gift to us from heaven. Do you care? (Click Here To Read ‘Adam, Eve & the Internet’)
People today are addicted to young and sexy and new and exciting. The problem with being addicted to fresh and new is that it does not equip you for the ‘long-haul’. If the shelf life for everything in your life is essentially the span of time between iPhone releases, then how will you ever know how to ‘stay the course’ in anything? Life in the fast lane usually means you go round and round in circles really fast. That’s exciting for the spectators, but if the driver was trying to actually get somewhere then that would produce such a deep sense of hopelessness. I see many people in our culture today going round and round super fast. They try to keep dressing younger, and looking hipper the older they get for fear of being left out of the race. They trade their wives in for a younger model. They leave their husbands and children to fend for themselves so they can pursue careers that make them feel more important and excited. Round and round and round and yet so empty. Perhaps you’ve fallen prey to the ‘rat race’? There is so much hope for you! Jesus makes all things new as we bring our brokenness to Him. On top of that, He can use our story with all it’s bumps and bruises to help others not fall into the same traps of life! This has always been one of God’s ways of transferring wisdom to the next generation, but too often we haven’t taken the time to ask those older than us about life and how to navigate it. If we want God to use our story to help others, we need to get some help ourselves from those who’ve lived a little longer. (Click here to read my post on The Strength You Need To Be Content)
Say It Loud, Say it Clear
Generational mentoring used to be the way life worked. One generation would directly interact with the next two or three, sharing their wisdom and experience; teaching a trade and encouraging the younger ones. The younger generations longed for those moments of time with the older generations where they could glean, not only information and stories of experience, but the hope that comes from looking in the face of one that has battled many of the things you are yet to face and is still standing and still smiling. That is a such a hopeful place to be and it breaks my heart that so few in this current day know what that’s like. If I’m honest, I do not expect our culture to shift back to that way of life, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be intentional on our own to bridge the generation gap. Unfortunately, I believe our culture has so effectively shunned and shamed our senior adults that most will have a hard time believing they have much to offer or that you really want to receive anything from them. That thought brings me to tears. However, we cannot leave it at that. We must try. You are going to have to do something we don’t like to do in our culture anymore, and that is walk up to a person and ask them for something face-to-face. (Yep, I said it.) The insecurity that has been produced through our ‘faceless communication’ of texting and emailing is staggering. We must press through. I will write about this on another day but for now, know that it is necessary and possible. Breakthrough may be one awkward conversation away. (Click here to read my post on how Being Authentic Might Be Ruining Your Life)
Invite a senior couple over for coffee sometime. Ask them to join you for lunch after church or to play a round of golf together or whatever…. Let them know that you’d love to hear some of their story; how long they’ve been married, where they grew up and what life was like for them, etc…. They’re just people like you and me. The difference is they have so much to offer that you and I cannot fabricate in any other way. They have done more than read a book or two or watched a clip on youtube on how to fix something. They have lived life and chances are they are willing to share some of that with you if you’d ask. (Click here to see where I talk about this in my message Uncommon Unity)
Google isn’t your dad. It can provide some information but it can’t instill in you that feeling that ‘you can do this and you have what it takes’. That comes from a father and not necessarily your own father, but one who has lived longer and can impart the confidence that comes from an older generation. (Click here to read my post on the value of Fathers) Young and sexy might be exciting but slow and steady wins the race. Give the gift of honor to a senior and you’ll posture yourself to receive so much more than information, you’ll receive an impartation of life. You’ll be encouraged and built up, and in the process will bring honor and value to the one whose story you took the time to listen to.
From the Bible
Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. – Psalm 71:17-18 NIV
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:32 ESV
One generation commends your works to another;they tell of your mighty acts.5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. – Psalm 145:4-7 NIV
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