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Wisdom, age go hand in hand
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Published: January 30, 2009
I have had enough of the winter blues. I am looking forward to springtime with great anticipation. I am only 44 years old, and this is the first time I can ever remember the weather and the winter season getting to me. I have read about and heard how weather affects the personality and causes mood swings, but this is the first time I have experienced it.
My wife has been sick in recent weeks and while administering her medicines I noticed that I couldn't read the back of the bottles any longer. Everything was blurred.
Last week, Wednesday to be exact, I began receiving unsolicited appeals from the AARP (American Association of Retired People) — five in one day! I am only 44 years old. What is that all about? I began wondering which of my friends, in order to have a good laugh, had contacted AARP for me.
That same night at church, our church matriarch, not knowing that AARP had attempted to make me a member, brought me two magazines from the AARP. She knew that I would enjoy several of the articles about current legislation that were tucked away inside.
I appreciate that, but I am sure she noticed the surprised look on my face. Maybe the Lord is trying to send me a message. I had to ask myself, "Do I look that bad? Has life snuck up on me so fast that Rogaine and Geritol are quickly going to become a part of my daily routine?"
I remember a time when I thought 40 years old was ancient; of course, that was 30 years ago. I realize I live in a disposable body, that will one day be gone. However, I am not ready for six of my friends, or relatives, to load me into the back of that long black vehicle quite yet!
The Lord alone can give us new strength and energy. I am reminded of what Isaiah wrote many centuries ago: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
I want the Lord to not only give me new strength and energy, but to give us the wisdom that we need to make it through life.
In Psalm 90:12, the psalmist asks for the Lord to "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom." I believe the wisdom we need is not so much earthly, scholarly wisdom, but instead biblical wisdom, which doesn't just come from the school of hard knocks.
King David taught Solomon as a young boy that wisdom was something we purposefully go after. Solomon later wrote: "Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."
Wisdom and renewed life go hand in hand. My prayer for each of us is that during these dull, colorless, winter days we will strive to soar as eagles instead of living like a bunch of turkeys.
The Rev. Trent Patterson is the pastor of Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church in Troutman. He can be reached at pastorjtpatt@aol.com.
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