Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I stopped in to see a buddy of mine at his business. I had a book to give him to take on his vacation. He had me come back to his office and have a cup of coffee while he took care of a few things. He was leaving the next day for a 10-day vacation and scrambling to make sure he had everything done before he left. He spoke with a number of his employees to make sure he had downloaded all the information they would need to know, in case anything came up while he was gone. As he finished this process, I could see the relief on his face and his smile grow. He was ready to leave. Downloading was complete! 

Today and tomorrow I want to write to anyone who is smart and perceptive enough to understand that there are those who are older than you, who have been where you are headed in life. They have great insight and wisdom to share to help you navigate life—IF you will tap into them. This might include your parents, mentors, or those you’ve simply observed as bearing great fruit in their life. You find wisdom in various areas such as parenting and finance, to the practical day-to-day projects or goals you desire to accomplish. They have something powerful to offer you that can save you from unnecessary pitfalls, trials,  and heartbreak—IF you can get past your pride and ask them.

Some might be better than others in communicating the wisdom they’ve gained, but you’ll learn who those are. And even if they aren’t the best in their communication style, they can be a valuable resource to you if you’ll pull from them. If you do, be sure to learn and know this truth: the older they get, the more they want to download the wisdom they have for you! They have wisdom about God, family, life, and all the things wisdom could be gained in! Taking them to coffee with your thought-out list of questions will often be some of the best money and time spent that you’ve ever experienced. And because you’re hungry enough to want to learn, you will have favor with them, and they will want to help you. By the grace of God, my life has always overflowed with these kinds of people. The nuggets of wisdom they’ve downloaded to me have helped me avoid countless pitfalls and made my life so much richer.

Renee and I are presently living in this experience now more than ever. We have four married children in their 30’s and 40’s—all with their own children. They look for insight and wisdom. I have younger business friends who often look for insight and wisdom because of my past business experiences. We retired from 35 years of pastoring last year, and in our current ministry, we are doing mission work around the world, preaching and teaching in churches, and helping younger senior pastors think through goals, objectives, and decisions they are making for the future of their churches. This is an ongoing part of our life and we think that those who are humble enough to seek wisdom are those that will experience the most success with joy, in their years to come.

Every single one of us should eagerly desire wisdom! God’s word cries out to us to seek it! Proverbs 4:7 (NIV) says, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

Wisdom is all around you. Measure the lives and fruit of those who have traveled the road you are going to take, beginning with your parents and those God has placed in your life. If they have great fruit, then you can know that there are many things you can learn from them. And you can know that the older they get, the more they desire to impart their knowledge and wisdom to you! Remember that experience is a great part of wisdom and their years past have provided that for them to share with you! I’ll share more next time.

James 1:5 (NIV) says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him…”

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In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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