Wisdom

Here is something I wrote for a friend's 40th birthday. I thought that I would post it here for everyone to read.

As you begin the second half of your life, remember that the purpose of the first half was to earn the wisdom to truly enjoy the rest of your life.

During the first part of our life we thought that:
- it’s our life;
- we were important;
- treasures were what we could touch, see and feel;
- family was nice;
- life was to be spent anticipating the “special moments”;
- prayer was good;
- it was necessary to prove ourselves worthy to others;
- wisdom came from books; and
- things could be better.

For the second half we know that:
- it’s not really about us;
- none of us are more important than the rest;
- true treasures are stored in our hearts and in heaven;
- family is a thing of true value;
- each moment is itself to be valued;
- prayer can move mountains;
- we must seek God in all things, because we can’t handle anything;
- God’s opinion is the only one that counts;
- wisdom can only come from God and living the life He has given us;
- things can definitely be worse.

During the first part of our life we took our youth and vitality and gave them over to life experiences (also known as mistakes) - these will now give way wisdom. The wisdom to know that life is about something bigger than all of us, yet all of us contribute to the whole.

We have gained the wisdom to love better,
laugh harder,
enjoy each day as it comes, and
admit that we really don’t have a clue.

Enjoy the wisdom of the second part of your life.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day -- and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

-2 Timothy 4:7-8

Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

-James 1:2-4