Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.”
Hiking the Linda Vista Trail in Oro Valley, Arizona, we heard two men talking rather loudly. As we came closer we heard the younger of the two who was probably 70 yrs. or so, saying to the other: “My father is 91 years old and won’t listen to anyone—he doesn’t want my advice.” To which the other man commented, “I’m 80 years old and I don’t take anyone else’s advice either!”
It doesn’t take a psychologist or counsellor to verify the truth of those comments. It is so much easier to give advice than to take advice. We read in Proverbs 19:20, NIV translation, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
Who doesn’t want to be wise? In today’s world, it has become a sad state when someone has advice to help us grow to be better people, yet we do not want to accept or even listen to the advice because others may consider us weak, or lacking in strength or wisdom if we don’t “do it ourselves.”
Consider this. Much wisdom that we have is because we have watched a friend become successful in business or in a career and we have tried to mimic that success. When we read a book or attend a lecture, we are stimulated to read or study that topic more. Have you noticed how we do things a certain way because that is what our mom once said or did? Our practices for holiday celebrations are often copying the traditions we did when we were children.
The Bible says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.” Read the Bible. It is full of good advice.
A song written in 2010 by Handt Hanson says it so well.
Lord, let my heart be good soil,
open to the seed of your word.
Lord, let my heart be good soil,
where love can grow and peace is understood.
When my heart is hard, break the stone away.
When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.
When my heart is lost, lead me on your way.
Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my hear,
Lord, let my heart be good soil.
Who doesn’t want to be counted as among the “wise?” Maybe a little more listening or seeking advice might be a very good thing for all of us.
Prayer: Lord, open my ears to hear and my eyes to see. Amen