Fools No Longer, Please

As I sit in my living room this morning, I am overcome with gratitude for a small group of dear praying friends. It is bringing to mind something I've been thinking about lately as most of these friends could be old enough to be my mother. It is the waning respect of a generation for all that is older and wiser. It is the lack of honor given to those who have paved the way. It is the foolishness of believing that those who don't squeak with the newness of the latest Apple gadget are irrelevant. It is the blindness that only sees 'my way or the highway.' It is the work of the enemy.
I have sat in church meetings. CHURCH meetings. Where those deemed older were politely dismissed. Ideas swept away. Disregarded. Dishonored. I've watched this incredulously knowing that the older could work circles around the well-meaning younger. I'm barely fifty and I have felt it done to me by those who could be called my son or daughter. A laugh. A good-natured, "Oh, Dee." I have felt their belief that I am irrelevant down to my toes. Nevermind, that I have been in their shoes. Never mind that I have fallen and gotten up too many times to count building character and wisdom. I'm still irrelevant. 
We celebrate youth. It's where it's at. Plastic surgery is at an all time high. Potions, lotions, and creams promising backward aging fly off the shelves. Even men can dye their hair and beards. The young are hired for jobs as the wise, intelligent, experienced and reliable 60 year old is left flailing. The 70 year old who can't operate the TV remote is a laughing stock even though he could handle a crisis with his eyes closed. Churches are hiring the new and young with their skinny jeans, black fitted t-shirts, and great ideas for how to get the pews packed. The older are quietly pushed out to make way for the new and young. Because the new and young are where it's at. That is, until we begin to plummet like a team of horses who didn't bother to see the cliff ahead because we were so impressed with our newly shoed hooves. It's a big mistake. I've made it about others and others have made it about me. I don't write to stir anger or get a riled crowd. I write this so we can be better and wiser.

Here are some scriptures to consider:

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." 
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds back."
Proverbs 29:11
"Claiming to be wise, they became fools."
Romans 1:22
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."
Proverbs 12:15
"Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days."
Job 12:12
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."
Proverbs 19:20
"The King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, "How do you advise me to answer this people?"
1 Kings 12:6
"Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you."
Deuteronomy 32:7
"Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or to be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in the their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. They will not bring shame on the word of God."
Titus 2:3-5
"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'
1 Peter 5:5

There is a ton of wisdom in those scriptures and there are many more that speak on this topic. Clearly, GOD HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT AND WE WOULD ALL DO WELL TO PAY ATTENTION! His instructions are always motivated by His love for us. We are better people when we give honor to those older than us. It just makes sense. God always makes sense. 

But, I speak from personal experience as I give thanks to God this morning for a group of older and wiser women who have prayed me through some of my darkest moments and greatest joys. They are a treasure to me. Sometimes, the prayers were going out before the break of dawn and would continue throughout the day. They have been warriors for me, interceding on my behalf countless times. They have strengthened me as a woman, wife, and mother. They have pointed me upward, always. They have given me hope when I didn't feel any. I have shared secrets, humiliations, and cries from my heart. My marriage is better because of them. My faith is deeper. They have a wealth of experience between them and I want that and NEED it. They have loved me unconditionally.

I'm at this rather unique place in my life where most all of my friends are older while my co-workers are quite young. My core is small. I don't know how it happened but it did over time and I'm okay with it. God always has us where He wants us and where He can use us. But, we need to get back to a place where we begin to SEE, honor, and respect how extraordinary our elders are. We need them and they need us as well. They are more relevant now than ever before (in my humble opinion)! And Church, we have to get better at this. It is NOT all about us. I cringe at the folly of it. It is not our way or the highway. It's a sure way for a ministry to get tripped up and for a church's foundation to crack. It's time to start listening and rereading those God-breathed scriptures given to us for a reason. A reason motivated by a loving Father who knows BEST.

Learn from His Journey

Sometimes, the anticipation of an event can be more painful than the event itself. I often talk about this with residents at work when they have hard sessions coming up or other difficult situations pending. Perspective.
For the last few days, I have been thinking about Jesus's journey to the cross. I'm thinking most specifically about the months leading up to what He knew was to come. In this instance, I am pretty certain that Jesus's actual death on the cross was worse than the journey there. However, the journey is still worth looking at because despite knowing what was to come, He kept walking toward it.
As He made His way toward Jerusalem, He never lost sight of His identity, purpose, or Father. He faced what needed facing. He healed what was sick. He loved all that was unlovely. He replaced evil with good. He fed the hungry. He turned law and tradition upside down. He welcomed children and widows, and touched the unclean. He knew Himself. He went away alone when He needed to. He had compassion and endless patience. He taught and in such a way that hearts and minds were pierced. He was a CLASS ACT and STILL IS. I just keep thinking of everything that He did and endured out of absolute love. He was cast aside, unheard and unseen, scorned, made fun of, and eventually brutally killed in the most savage and humiliating way.
I suppose it could have been done another way. He could have been big and majestic and fed into the misconstrued idea of what a Messiah should look like. But, instead, it was done the only and right way. It was done in such a way that revealed the true character of our Lord and Savior.
We have been created in the image of Him and have the privilege of serving the greatest King that has ever been or ever will be. He is deserving of every last praise. He is deserving of our absolute trust. He is to be revered and honored. We are here to give Him our adoration, love, and surrender. Whether plenty or want, good or bad, failing crop or thriving, He is worthy of praise. He is the classiest EVER, and even that description is flimsy.
Thank you, Jesus for your journey to the cross, your death, and Resurrection. Let me learn from your example because I want to journey like You. You are EVERYTHING to me.

The Uninhibited Beggar

I have found that sitting on the edge of an overturned rowboat at the shore of a beautiful lake, is a most delightful place to write - the sun on my back with the shade of a Douglas Fir on my legs. God is always with us, isn't He?
This morning, I was studying Mark 10: 46-52, where Jesus heals the blind beggar while walking through the streets of Jericho. I have read this story numerous times, but it is true that the word of God is alive, because today, a specific part of this scripture spoke to my heart like never before.
"Son of David!" he (the beggar) cried, "Jesus! Have pity on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted all the more. "Son of David! Have pity on me!" Jesus came to a stop. "Call him here!" he said.
There is so much in this part of scripture that could be taken apart and a lesson learned from, but this morning, the beggar's uninhibited determination caught my attention. He did not entirely understand who Jesus was, but he had enough faith to know that He was someone more than special - the Messiah who was coming to save - One in whom he could put his trust. He did not care that his shouting caused an annoyance. He was not deterred by the condescending words to be quiet. He was not going to be invisible, oppressed, and blind one second longer, for His HOPE had arrived and he knew it! When Jesus called him, he did not think twice. He threw off his cloak, jumped up and went to Jesus even though he could not even see. Talk about blind faith? Literally!
So, I had to ask myself the question, am I throwing off everything to run straight to Jesus? Am I letting my own fear, busyness, ruminating, fixing and planning hinder me in my straight on walk to the One who holds my heart - my LIFE? Am I leaping and running despite my inability to see? I want to be this beggar! I want to hold what he held.
While I was writing, my dog came bounding down the path toward the lake like the maniac chocolate lab that he is. He was running back and forth and jumping up and down with a stick in his mouth. I laughed out loud. God truly gave me an image of what the joyful beggar might've looked like after he was healed! (Verse 52)
Let me encourage you as the Lord has encouraged me this morning. When in need, be specific. Place every obstacle aside and go to Jesus directly. Go uninhibited, just as you are, and with faith that is bold and unwavering. HE is asking you now, "What would you like me to do for you?" Share with Him what is on your heart and while you await His provision, experience the joy of the Lord!

Dee M. Kostelyk