MANY OF US LOOK BACK upon youth with remorse for, and at the same time, with a wincing timid appreciation of the many aching outcomes of foolish decisions. Remorse, for we should have known better, and in fact oftentimes did know better but went ahead anyway, plunging heedlessly through the gateway to spiritual devastation. Appreciation, because from the steep prices paid for education at the School of Hard Knocks, we gained some lasting, unforgettable albeit painful, life lessons.
Solomon muses, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.” (Ecc. 10:2-3) Maybe we flirted at the blurry edges of the shadowland that lies between honesty and dishonesty, believing it only an acceptable area of white lies and rationalization. Some of us had casual disregard for the law, and could have and, in fact, probably should have, been arrested in our younger years. Perhaps we were slick and cunning, and never got caught and very rarely were seen through. If that was so, it may have seemed at the time that we would never have to pay any consequences for our actions. But scripture is abundantly clear on these matters. Paul states it plainly: “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.” (Col. 3:25)
Though virtually no one saw our deceptions and lack of character, God was studiously watching not just our behaviors, but also our motivations. And though the laws of men never caught up with us, the laws of God did, and we found ourselves tried, convicted, and put in a jail, albeit not of this world. Jesus’ following words were spoken about matters between people in the context of both civil and criminal law—but they are also especially applicable to the matters in which sin has separated us from their God. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Matt. 5:25-26)
Busted! Down came the gavel, and soon after the squeak of the iron hinges and the grating sound of the key as it turned in the lock. An iron door, four gray walls, and a high small window, heavily barred. And inside that room of isolation, a lifetime sentence of lean time, with only spiritual bread and water. We stayed the full sentence, and were only finally pardoned when we could speak from the heart: “I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.” (Psa. 119:75) Justice became mercy, but not before repentance became reality.
Job, a man in the midst of suffering—and he for righteousness—contemplates the wisdom that may come with age. “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12) And yes, wisdom is found amongst the elderly; but not all of them. It is good that we tolerate the foolishness of youth, for many of them, with appropriate rebuke, and even more auspiciously, strong encouragement, may leave their foolish ways behind.
Tolerating foolishness in the elderly is more difficult. A sixteenth-century English saying *“There’s no fool like an old fool” has wry worldly merit. Another quote from that same time period—this from a Protestant martyr—shows a scripturally informed gratitude for a different perspective. **“There but for the grace of God go I.” And Solomon warns, perhaps from bitter personal experience, “Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.” (Ecc. 4:13) He also adds this guidance: “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.” (Prov. 15:32)
There is an anecdotal Dutch proverb that is also worthy of our consideration. “We grow too soon old, and too late smart.” Again, we turn to scripture for deeper and purer revelation, in particular to Solomon’s proverbs. “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. and she calls from the highest point of the city. ‘Let all who are simple come in here!’ Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” (Pro. 9:1,3-4, 6) Similarly he adds, “Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” (Prov. 4:7-9)
What would we say if we could go back to our younger version of self? Would the warnings and counsel of our hard-earned wisdom prevent the many mis-steps that brought chastisement? Do not belittle the value of such reflection; from it we may gain a sense of gratitude for God’s grace at work in our darkest of times. This may help change our perspective about the value of suffering, which has many facets. Perhaps the greatest of these is this biblical truth: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” (Rom. 8:28)
Destiny is shaped by decisions. Wisdom makes different outcomes possible in life, both in the here-and-now and in the there-and-then. It is the grace of God that covers our past which changes our future. Having received the grace of God that comes in Christ Jesus, our destiny and destination are not only assured, but remain guided by heavenly instruction. The testimony of these facts established in our lives should lead us to become agents of mercy towards the foolish of the fallen world, for we once dwelt amongst them. “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20) Here is some wisdom: there is one who covers over all our sins, and who constantly seeks to turn us from the error of our ways. Paul sternly warns us, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Cor. 6:19b-20a) It is wise to remind ourselves of such things.
Q. Where does God’s grace presently need specific application to my past?
*From John Heywood’s 1546 collection of proverbs.
**Attributed anecdotally to John Bradford, martyred July 1, 1555 by burning at the stake.
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