There is a group of people that are basically
imperceptible in our culture…
Do you know who they are?
“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long-life bring understanding?” Job 12: 12
Regardless of our involvement in the lives of our children and grandchildren, they reach an age of development (if we have done our job) where their need for us lessens. They now have their own friends and activities that occupy the time that was once ours! Life is a whirlwind of academics, team sports, community outreach, horses, piano lessons, theater and musical practices and performances, tennis coaches and tournaments, swim practices and meets, church youth group activities, bible studies, revivals, camps, mission trips, etc.…!
Finally, one day… they get drivers licenses, go to college and… get married!
Keeping pace with all of this is a tremendous challenge…for all of us! I am a grandmother of seven; my mother, at 101, was a great-grandmother of 25 great-grandchildren! She lived on her own, cared for herself and was alert with a memory that would put an elephant to shame! She gave new meaning to the verse in Job 12. There are very few topics that have applicability to our everyday life, that if asked, she could not wisely put in perspective, yet she often felt invisible and spoke of her sense of loneliness and need to keep relevant.
Christina, my eldest daughter, Mom (100 years old) and I
I have thought about her statement and Job’s proclamation and wondered why in our 21st century culture the advanced in age feel they are being set to one side, listened to less and invisible in a large group of the younger generation.
These vital soldiers have earned their place among those that should be the most honored, respected and valuable in our culture. Titus 2: 3-5 admonishes “the older women to be reverent in the way they live and to train the younger...” There is so much to be gleaned from these seasoned veterans that have gone before us, paving the way. We will quickly step into the print they have left behind!
Our local churches defer to the younger generation. The young fill the jobs in women’s ministry and teach the even younger. They no longer turn to the older generation. They have been replaced with quick and empty answers found in the latest technology, social media and their peers.
BUT…“Is not wisdom found among THE AGED”?
While in Panama, our good friends, the Jenkins, a couple with perfect pitch and harmony, put this definition below to music. I have been humming it for years and sing it out loud when my natural inclination to think “I’m all that!” overrides what Scripture says should be my godly point of view!
Reverence is acknowledging that God is using in my life,
people and events to produce the character of Christ in me”. (Gothard)
It is wisely looking at life’s situations (all of them!) from God’s point of view, not my own.
THEN… the warning:
Soooo… be wise my son (daughter), heed my instruction (instantly placing myself in harmony with Him and His will and directives), leave that road that leads to destruction, hallow my name don’t walk in shame…Proverbs 23: 17,18
I want to be a wise mom, wife, grandma and whomever else I am purposed to be. That means I am commissioned to look at all of life’s situations from God’s point of view and get out of His way. There is no way I can produce reverence and wisdom apart from Him. He uses the people and events in my life to produce His character in me! My job is to wisely yield all circumstances with a grateful heart, regardless of how it looks, seems or feels to me. He knows what He is doing…It’s His plan…
The reward is Wisdom!
Will you join me in applying reverence
to your life this coming year?
It’s a win…win.
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
