As I Say

Jack P. Carter

For many, one of the first things you learn in life is that people older than you can tell you what to do. Or at least they attempt to. This is not to say that we necessarily respond to it, only that they see themselves in a position to do so.

The most likely first encounter is with your parents. The list grows very quickly from there to include adults at church or school or anywhere we find those who are “in charge.” It also doesn’t take long for older siblings to see themselves as being among those who are qualified to pass out instructions to the younger siblings. The challenge can be to determine among said instructors who we should be heeding.

Receiving instruction is a reality we all deal with. Sage advice and directives are an everyday staple when you are first getting started. One thing we can learn through this is that some of the best teachers don’t just tell you the “how-to.” They show you. This can become a sort of test as to who to listen to more.

It isn’t that things being told to us aren’t valid if the one giving the information is not a very good example of what they are promoting. Good advice can come from those who aren’t necessarily living by it. From all this we can derive a basic axiom: “Listen to what they say and then watch what they do.” This is an effective filter when you are considering the wisdom being imparted to you.

Of course, the ultimate test when it comes to our spiritual walk is whether what you are being told or shown matches up with what God has instructed. The Apostle Paul gives us this model when he admonishes in saying, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). The words of Christ were very pointed on this matter. “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them” (Matthew 23:2-3).

There are many things we observe in life that can bring disappointment. One that can have significant impact is watching someone do the very thing they have taught against. This becomes a difficult life lesson in and of itself. We learn that people, no matter who, are frail and, at some point, they may let you down. From this, we can either see the importance of working even harder to prevent this from happening to ourselves, or we can become cynical and accept that this is just a reality.

I think it would pay for us all to return to the basics. Not only of the principles that were taught but of a humble spirit that receives instruction and follows it. Let us never outgrow our need to listen and obey. Let us never become so impressed with our own understanding that we should do all the talking while others do all the listening and doing. Let us humble ourselves as children as the Lord has called us to do.

The Mouths of Babes

What we learned from long ago

Was meant to grow our heart

Some basic thoughts with depth so true

To help our faith to start

The songs we sang were simply put

With words to guide our way

An easy means to bring to mind

The steps we take each day

We listen close to children sing

The songs we know quite well

We likely join them in their song