Our theme for this month: “Being a virtuous person”
Our Bible verse for today: “The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 (CSB)
Our thought for today: “We learn wisdom from others.”
Years ago I came across a wonderful little book which I’ve re-read several times. It’s by John Leax and the title is “Grace is where I live: Writing as a Christian Vocation.” John is a professor of English and the “poet-in-residence” at Houghton College in New York. He has written numerous books and articles, and volumes of Christian poetry.
His book is more or less autobiographical in nature because it records his journey as a writer, beginning in his early childhood and extending throughout his long career. At one point he tells the story of the powerful impact his grandfather had on his life. His grandfather was a simple but very wise man who lived on a small farm. He called John “Jackie”, loved him very much, and took great interest in him as he was growing up.
John recalls one funny instance from his early childhood when he was on his grandfather’s farm and he foolishly aggravated a very mean rooster. The rooster then chased young John across the barnyard, repeatedly pecking him in the butt with his sharp beak. John ran screaming and crying as he tried to get away from the bird as it kept stabbing him in his rear end. His grandfather observed all this and thought it was hilarious.
The next day his grandfather called him into the house for lunch and put a big plate of food in front of him. As they ate the grandfather said, “Jackie, roosters are mean. Never mess with the roosters, son. Do you understand?” The boy said “Yes sir”, as he contentedly munched on a drumstick that had been chasing him across the yard just the day before.
John’s grandfather had taken care of that mean old rooster for him, and together they enjoyed him for lunch. And John never forgot his lesson. To this day he doesn’t mess with the roosters.
Wisdom is learned, usually from the people we’re closest to. All throughout our lives we gather these nuggets of wisdom, these little pieces of hard won experience, and we fit them into the larger picture of our own lives. In time they accumulate and we slowly but surely become wise too. Then one day you are the wise grandfather imparting words of wisdom to a young and impressionable boy.
We learn best and most from those who are closest to us. Wisdom is an important and necessary virtue and we become wise by walking with the wise.
Surround yourself with wise people whom you admire and trust. Learn from them. Soak in their wisdom. And then be that person for someone else.
Oak Hill Baptist Church