Be you

8 May 2011

Proverbs 2:6-8 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints.

As one grows, one becomes wiser, not just growth in age but also in experience and observation. This wisdom is not given to any person as a reward, but rather the ability to discern within a situation and through that have the insight and understanding needed. Being part of a church with a large elderly group it is interesting to observe how different men respond. The more dedicated to their past work life, successes and influence the harder it seems for them to cope with change that life brings. Many were leaders in their field of expertise and where they added value and had the prestige of their position. Yet in a retirement village it does not count for much as to who were, but rather who you are today.

Wisdom is realising that who you were does not count for much, but rather who are is very important. So a valid question for any person is not who you were, or what job you do, but actually who are you? How good are you at being you? This deals with your attributes which are not tangible, but are intrinsically you, this deals with your nature. A short tempered person when young, will only become even a shorter tempered grumpy old person, to change this needs there needs to be a change in who you are. For this to happen you need to want to change, and you cannot do this without God intervening and giving you a new nature.

A lesson then to learn is stop looking back at who you were with all your success and failures, but be you, loving, kind, considerate, patient, tolerant and accepting of others for who they are today.

Be encouraged today to be the new you.

David

Point to ponder: We can change.

Question to consider: Do you focus more on who you were than who you are?