Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: ANCIENT (06/04/20)
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TITLE: Ancient Questions | Previous Challenge Entry
By Louis Detweiler
06/11/20 -
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“Grandpa, how old is ancient?”
“It depends.”
“Dad says we can’t use your truck, it’s too old. He said sometimes things get so old they have to be thrown away. He said your ancient truck has run through too many transmissions to make it useful. Does anything ancient have any value?”
I replied, “Wisdom is ancient and it’s universal. It’s as valuable today as in ancient times. All men seek wisdom now and in the earliest times. Whoever can become wise will control many. Wisdom has been around since the beginning of man, but whoever claims to be wise is a fool. You can become wise if you listen to God. People have been listening to God for thousands of years. And that’s pretty old.”
“Doesn’t God get tired of talking?”
“No one knows the mind of God. God has been talking to people forever. Some people ignore God, some people half-listen, and some people listen the best they can. It looks like God will keep talking forever.”
"Do you listen to God?"
“When I was young, I didn’t know I needed God. My parents provided all the guidance I thought I needed. They introduced me to God, but I didn’t dwell on God and develop a prayer life. I basically did what I wanted and followed my father’s instructions. When I was growing up, I caved into peer pressure and wanted to be with the “in-crowd”. This worldly living got me into all types of trouble, and I was not happy. Then as I got older, I began to half-listen, I figured I needed something else besides pleasing myself. Now, in my older years, I listen and pray the best I can.”
“What did God tell you?”
“God just doesn’t say one thing and its over. When people hear God speak, God may speak to people in all sorts of situations. Sometimes God will give you guidance in a certain direction. Suppose you wanted to let someone ride your bike. Would God help you decide to share your bike?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, God says it’s good to have friends and share, but you need to trust the other person they will bring the bike back.”
“God will tell you if it is OK to share?”
“God will give you guidance so you can make a good decision about sharing your bike.”
“Did God give you guidance about marrying Grandma?”
“Yes, he did. I prayed hard before I married Grandma. She’s the best friend I have.”
“Did God tell you not to marry someone?”
“Let’s say, God directed me away from some people.”
“How do you know it’s God talking to you?”
“It’s something you feel deep within you. It is something you know to be right?”
“Did God ever tell you something wrong?”
“That is where wisdom comes in. Sometimes God may not give you a clear step. Sometimes we have to wait for clear guidance. God has never told me to do something wrong, but many times I had to wait until I got clear direction from God before I moved forward.”
“How long do you have to wait?”
“Sometimes we wait as long as it takes for us to accept the answer.”
Paul, my son came out on the porch, “You’re not going to keep that truck any longer are you, Dad?”
No, I’m just talking to little Jimmy about God and wisdom. It seems he wanted to learn a little about wisdom.”
Jimmy piped up, “Grandpa says God talks to everyone, Dad. Does God talk to you?”
Paul smiled, “God talks, but not everyone listens. God has been talking to people since ancient times. Sometimes it’s hard for me to hear God with all the stress I have in life. When I pray and listen, I can hear God talk to me. Sometimes I pick a verse from the Bible and let that speak to me.”
Jimmy asked, “What bible verse does God speak to you from?”
Paul answered, “Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous.”
I asked Jimmy, “Can you be strong and courageous?”
Jimmy answered, “I don’t know.”
Paul laughed, “Just keep asking questions young man. Pray and try to listen to God like Daddy and you will do alright.”
“And I will forget my ancient truck.”
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