For a long time I didn’t really understand why I enjoyed being around those who were much older than me. At one point in my life I thought it was because I was maturer than people my age, which I was not. I later realized I was after the wisdom I gained from my elders. I also learned that there are elderly fools in this world just as there are young.

When my life’s choices where dictated by my sinful nature, my favorite type of club to attend was the “Juke Joint” or what we can call “The Hole in the Wall.” This is a type of club where you can shoot pool, play cards or dominoes, drink whisky, eat a good meal, and dance to the blues with some old guy who just wants to feel young for the night until the two or three in the morning. I learned a lot in this in environment, but nothing that helped me grow in wisdom. Also during this time of my life, there were a few wise elders who saw the errors of my ways and attempted to guide me in the right direction but I was not ready to receive their understanding.

When I began to seek Christ, I found myself in an environment where approximately 80% of people were old enough to be my parents and grandparents. I began to have conversations with people who I started to admire for their wisdom. They had gone through some things in life that I could only imagine going through. Yet, they did not boast of their triumphs but instead glorified God.

I am still very young in comparison to them but I am also older than the next generation. Being in middle has allowed me learned that while we are young we can boast in our strength. We can work longer and faster but what we can not do is change our length of experience. My pursuit of wisdom from the elders in my life was an attempt to grow faster than others. I now understand that experience and practical wisdom comes with age and living a righteous life.

Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.”

I haven’t had the privilege of having gray hair yet but I look forward to the day. To those of you who have, wear it with honor. It makes you more beautiful!

Do you respect your elders?

When was the last time you had a conversation with an elder?