Words of Wisdom

"I'm a young man,

   and you are all old and experienced.

That's why I kept quiet

   and held back from joining the discussion.

I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell.

   The longer you live, the wiser you become.'

But I see I was wrong—it's God's Spirit in a person,

the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.

The experts have no corner on wisdom;

   getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.” Job 32:7-10 (The Message) 

The words above were said by Elihu to Job. It’s probably true that becoming older does not guarantee becoming wiser. But if God’s spirit is in a person, wisdom follows.           

Whenever I’m asked to think of someone who is an example of a spiritual person, there are a couple of former members of Eastridge who come to mind. One is Myra Dickerson, who lived past the age of 100. To me, Myra was the epitome of a spiritual woman who exudes God’s love for everyone.           

And she demonstrates her wisdom. In one of her last Christmas letters, Myra said she had been encouraged to share some of her “wisdom,” and I’d like to share her thoughts.           

• Each person has the responsibility to relate to God, but don’t forget to talk to God all the time.        
• He is your personal friend and will understand.
• Love and forgive. Life is too short to waste it away by hating.
• See all the good things in people before you criticize them. The world is full of beautiful people.
• Let there be peace and love on earth, and let it begin with me. 

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending people like Myra to demonstrate your love. Everyone who knew her is a better person for having known her. Help us all to follow her words of wisdom and strive to become like her. Amen. 

Robin Hadfield