Young At Heart

Photo by: Tadas Mikucki

My husband and I had an opportunity to meet and minister with a senior 92 years young. He was full of interesting stories dating back as early as the 1940’s. When asked why he lived alone, instead of in a Senior’s Facility, he said he was “too young” to live with old folk. My husband and I looked at each other thinking “is he for real!!” My husband continued by sharing testimonies with him about the goodness of the Lord and preached a mini-salvation message to him. At the conclusion of my husband’s message, the “young at heart senior” replied, “I attend church!” My husband explained that church will not save you, salvation is asking Jesus into your heart for eternal life. With many more excuses, he refused!

This story is not uncommon, quite often our heart tells us we are still very young, while our body and actions tell a different story. Later when talking with this senior’s family, we learned that this “young at heart” senior’s days were lonely and he was having a difficult time taking care of himself. The family informed us they continually encouraged him to visit the local community senior center where he could interact with adults his age, but he refused, telling them, “I`m too young to live in a Senior`s Facility or to visit a Senior Community Center.” This story is very sad because it was quite obvious this “young at heart” senior was not physically and mentally capable of living alone, which in the end will force the family to make decisions for him. This senior had become “set in his ways,” and obviously lacked wisdom about his living conditions, and his refusal to accept Jesus as his Savior.

The Bible informs us in Proverbs 4:5‭-‬6 to, “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.”

King Solomon is explaining six important truths about wisdom to his son: 1) to get wisdom and understanding; 2) Don’t forget wisdom; 3) Take heed to wisdom and follow it; 4) Don’t forsake wisdom; 5) Wisdom will preserve you; and 6) Love Wisdom and she shall keep thee. With wisdom we can obtain knowledge of what is best for our life, and wisdom can be our guide. So, what’s “wisdom” and how does one get wisdom?

Wisdom is Jesus Christ. In John 1:1; 14:6 we learn that Jesus is the Word and the bread of life. Wisdom is the Word that comes from Jesus who is the sustainer of life. Wisdom is truth which is based on principles from God’s Word, truth that guides us into making sound choices and sets us free from old mindsets.

The beginning of Wisdom is knowing Jesus. In Deut. 17:18-20 we read God gave instructions that every king to sit on the throne were to make a personal copy of the law (word), read it and meditate on the word daily. The word/law was to be with them at all times and they were to use the Laws of God to execute justice. What we learn here is that the Word of God can transform anyone who will embrace Wisdom. The word of God will impart into the king, or anyone seeking, wisdom to fulfill his duties in a godly manner.

The same holds true today! The Bible, which is the Word of God, is our: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Holy Spirit included in the Bible timeless spiritual wisdom of truths and principles so that everyone from birth to death can have a successful life on earth. The Bible teaches mankind their purpose on earth, relationships, money management, how to obtain eternal life, how to make wise decisions, etc. The Word of God is very powerful, teaching individuals how to renew their mind daily in Christ Jesus so that they can remain free from “old mindsets” that keeps them bound with “wrong thinking.” Most importantly the Word teaches us how to move from the past so that we can live in the present!

This young at heart senior was not using wisdom, he was stuck in the past preventing him from making decisions that would benefit him immensely. Not wanting to embrace the LORD as his Savior for direction and protection, he instead chose to live in fear of becoming “old” at 92. His lack of wisdom not only affects him, but his family also.

Verse 6 is a wonderful promise about wisdom. We are told that “wisdom” will preserve us and keep us. Do you want to be a “kept person?” When we come into the Kingdom of God through salvation, we become the children of God. As children of God we come under a covenant of love, protection and provision. God promises that if we keep our mind on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace – now that is being kept! This 92 “young at heart senior” refused wisdom that could give him perfect peace, protection and provision for the remainder of his years on earth. Besides, if he would allow God, through salvation to renew his mind, he could lose that “old mindset;” and who knows, he could be a blessing to others at the Senior’s Community Center or living facility with his 92 young at heart thinking.

Are you in need of Wisdom? The Bible has answers for every need, including our decision making. It has been tried and proven for thousands of years as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, providing guidance and direction as we embrace the WORD. Try and prove wisdom for yourself, you will be amazed at how the WORD can transform and renew the mind.