65 years old — hopefully I’m wiser than when I was a teenager.

When we were teens we had an opinion about almost everything and mouthed off quickly. We asserted our ideas, not realizing they had already been tried and failed.

Later I was a supervisor of teenagers who worked during the summer months. We were running a water and sewer system. As the summer days passed, I listened to their ideas patiently and then explained to them almost every time why it wouldn’t work. I taught them from my several years of experience in what was tried and true, as well as the latest innovations that did work. Usually by the end of their summer jobs with us, they learned that with age comes wisdom. But, occasionally a few were stubborn enough to continue questioning the way we worked. To those I’d invariably say: there is a reason God made you with two ears, two eyes, but only one mouth. Watch and listen more than you speak.

As new Christians, we are like children no matter what age we may be. We need to watch and listen – study the Scriptures, listen to our more experienced brethren. We would do well to ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance when we voice our opinions.

If you are an experienced Christian, well along on your faith journey, you have the privilege and responsibility to guide new believers. Share your faith. Speak of how God’s love has shown itself in your life. And share the greatest news of all – that God loves them unconditionally!

Joey

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15