I became a Young Life leader when I was 20 years old. Part of the process was going through “Leader Training” before we were placed at a school to engage in relationship with high school kids. One of the things I learned was that kids are drawn to the oldest person in the room who will take them seriously.
Recently, I was invited to a gathering of men in their mid 20’s. At one point in the evening, I looked around and realized I was the oldest person in the room (by far)! Those words from my Young Life training days came back to me once again--kids are drawn to the oldest person in the room who will take them seriously.
I wonder if that statement applies not only to high school kids but to all of us?
If that statement is universal--and I believe it is--then perhaps the question we can continue to ask ourselves is two-fold:
Am I allowing myself to be drawn to a few men that are older than me and further along in the journey of life with Jesus? I am open to their wisdom and insight?
Am I putting myself in a position to be the “oldest person in the room” for others? Am I walking with younger men and open to being with them as they navigate the ups and downs of life?
Perhaps both of these postures are part of our Teleios…
- Shawn
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