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Learning from the Wise {the forgotten leaders}

A trend I’ve been noticing at conferences and retreats is more and more popular bloggers, more people with a huge instagram following and younger authors are the speakers at more and more Christian conferences, retreats and even our churches.

I’m scratching my head–simply because…there was once a time where we learned from leaders who had gone before us…not as much from those right in the boat with us. Sure we can learn from each other. My children impart deep wisdom and lessons to me on a daily basis. But it’s interesting to see our pulpits, our conferences and other events having more and more young speakers (made popular through their social media) rather than older leaders who have journeyed the road and who are now at a place to impart their lives well-lived to us.

Job 12:12 “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

I certainly believe we aren’t to look down on one another because we are young–but we must be very cautious that we are seeking wise counsel from. I think the young can be wise–but I also think we’ve tipped the pendulum and we have more young people on our panels of wisdom than old.

Wisdom will not always be as quick to find…and certainly not always a fingertip of social media away…especially when very few people with grey hairs use it.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:6-7

Bringing in older, wise counsel verses the latest writer of a popular gone viral blogger or Christian novel will never make for the coolest retreat to attend. Leading a retreat for adoption and foster moms–I really sense the Lord calling us to focus and call in moms who maybe the world doesn’t know…who are not in the spot light…and they might be really, really hard for us to find. But often–those who have been quiet…who haven’t vented every frustration…who have already run the race of mothering and are now in a place to pour back all the nuggets of wisdom through a bigger picture to those in a boat still in the storm while she’s now safely ashore…these are those I believe we need to seek out and ask for wisdom most from.

And while there IS a place for women in our same boat sharing–I think we need to just grab one another’s hand and be in it together…while keeping Jesus in the spotlight–and listening to someone who has already traveled our road that it WILL be okay and it really all WILL be worth it in the end…from a perspective that can truly speak from seeing and experiencing His faithfulness all the way through.

I want to not only remember but to sit at the feet of the forgotten leaders and learn from them…to receive wise counsel as the scripture encourages us to and to hold on to their legacy as not only sisters in Christ but also mothers who mentor us and lead the way for us.

I want to see more greys and wrinkles up front…and I think with our loud voices and social media that often older people do not use…we have quieted them for far too long. And I think there may be a really wise reason we aren’t seeing that generation overtaken or jumping on our social media band wagon of where we gather our wisdom from too. What does Proverbs mean: verse 4:7 “Wisdom is supreme, therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.”

For me…I confess…much of my wisdom has not come from those who have gone before me. But not any more. It will be costly to change…requiring time and effort…and not following suit of easy or even the Christian world or trend. But I know He is speaking…and His voice…I want to always follow.

With you and for you in Christ…

Andrea

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