Find the balance

Last week I posted on my Facebook the following comment:

‎"I believe what really happens in history is this: the old man is always wrong; and the young people are always wrong about what is wrong with him. The practical form it takes is this: that, while the old man may stand by some stupid custom, the young man always attacks it with some theory that turns out to be equally stupid." --G.K. Chesterton--

Chesterton was a witty, comical man who had a depth of insight that we often times lack today.He pokes fun at both the old guard and the new, while giving no answer as to whom is actually right. What I am finding as I age is that how I perceived things in my younger days is no longer how I see them today. Why? The issues have not changed. It just appears that I have. With age comes wisdom, and the scriptures tell us to obtain wisdom and guard it.

There are people in my life who have gone before me, walked the road I am on, learned through the Holy Spirit what way is good, and seek to impart that knowledge. Yet, if I as a younger person (albeit an older/younger person) ignore their wisdom I miss out on valuable Godly insight. I have a couple men in my life who's insight I value very much and as painful as their insight is at times, I strive to apply it to my life and situation. It is part of the growth process that God has started in me. He puts those people in my path for that reason.

Who do you have in your life? Are there those old farts who always have advice for you as you venture down the road of life? Sometimes, in fact, most times if they are Godly people, they are seeking to help you avoid pitfalls and wrong turns. It hurts at times to hear the words of "the older generation" spoken into our lives. We even argue that they "don't really know what they are talking about." Those thoughts are just wrong. They have walked this road and have, I am willing to bet, picked up a bit of wisdom along the way. Let's try to listen to those whom God has blessed with many years under their belts.

Wisdom is found in those who take advice [Proverbs 13:10b]