Wisdom v. Age

By Willa Johnson

“You’re old enough to know better!” What child has not heard that? Most parents have uttered those words. My question is, “What is ‘old enough’?”

Occasionally a good email comes through that needs to be shared with everyone. One such message consisted of a conversation of a 12-year-old lad who called into a morning radio talk show in Houston, Texas. He was broken-hearted because he had just put his new calf down. It had fallen and broken its back. He wanted to tell the radio people that God “told me something.” Choking on tears, he said, “God told me when I asked ‘Why?’ that he understood because he, too, lost Someone special to him. God went on to tell me that he gave up his son for a purpose. He told me he really did understand how I felt about losing my pet calf.” Attaining a stronger voice, Logan went on, “So, I just wanted you guys to know that God understands when we lose a loved one or a pet. We should always remember that God gave his son, too, and he understands. He will always understand. Just run to him.”

Mike thanked Logan for calling in with his story commenting, “Logan, you’re wiser than you know, buddy.” Logan said, “Sometimes I’m not very wise ‘cause I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff, but I’ve learned from them.” Mike responded, “That’s what makes you wise…someone who learns from his mistakes.” Logan replied, “Well, I just figured I ought to call and share with you guys” and signing off with, “love you.” Mike answered, “Love you, too. Bye.”

Wisdom does come from age and experience. Some children are forced to grow up wise because they have to; others are spoon-fed to the point where they take a long time to learn, sometimes never.

The book of Proverbs is filled with verses dealing with wisdom and one verse that is repeated more than once is found in chapter 1, verse 7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

One time during a Bible study an elderly lady commented that she resented the phrase “the fear of the Lord” because she preferred to think of God as a Loving Father, not some mean person who frightens one. The minister explained that the “fear” should be interpreted as “awe” such as in the song Awesome God. If we believe that God is all-powerful, shouldn’t we be in awe of what He is capable of doing?

Further on in that same chapter of Proverbs we read: “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would (have) none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.” (28-30) In other words, it is a fearful thing to not heed God or His Word. The chapter ends with a promise, however. “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

Do all people with knowledge have wisdom? No, and again I say NO! Last year there was a story about a high school teacher in California who daily belittled Christ and anyone who believed in Him. The teacher, an avowed atheist, seemed determined to do all he could to turn the students away from Christianity. I dare say the teacher is very learned and possesses a lot of knowledge but true knowledge comes from the Lord. An uneducated individual can be filled with wisdom and still lack knowledge. Logan, mentioned earlier, attained wisdom at an early age long before his education was complete.

How many illnesses have been caused because someone harbors bitterness and hatred instead of turning the situation over to the Lord? We cannot control another’s thoughts or actions; only our own. That is why the famous prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is so commendable. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.

From whence comes wisdom? “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” is found in Proverbs 2:6 and in Proverbs 3:7 we read: “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”

As long as we have breath, we need to apply that advice if we are to gain wisdom. Acquiring it has nothing to do with age. It’s a continuous learning experience from birth to death. You are never too young or too old to become wise!

Willa Johnson writes from Phoenix, Oregon. wjhat@ccountry.com