It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in GOD. – Proverbs 16.20, MSG
“This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind which exist between people who have,
from the outset, taken each other seriously.”
– C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
There was an issue I struggled with as a young man and into my thirties—no one seemed to take me seriously. This issue did not affect my professional life, as the military has always treated me as a contributor to a solution; however, among older individuals in the church, I was not seen as a contributor to a solution, but rather, as a nuisance. This gave me a sense of insignificance and a feeling of unworthiness. Struggling with feelings of unworthiness in the body Christ left me feeling alone and unwanted.
I wish I could tell you this story had a wonderful conclusion during my younger years; one where those older individuals ended up seeing me as an equal contributor in the church, but that is not what happened. Now, I am older and have furthered my education and gained some life experience. It is only now in my life have those of advanced years begun to see me as a contributor to the body of Christ.
Therefore, my counsel is not for those young in years, but rather for those advanced in age to heed C.S. Lewis’ advice. Take one another seriously so that you too may be a solution in the lives of those who are a little wet behind the ears. I pray you may see it pays to take life seriously and to take seriously the people who are the ultimate embodiment of life; all of those who are found in Christ, Jesus; even the young.
Prayer: Heavenly Lord, help those of us advanced in age to take seriously those who may lack the years of experience we have. Help us to empower the next generation, so that your name may be glorified. In Jesus’ name… Amen!
Written By: David Bartlett
This is day 3 of a devotional written by Stark College & Seminary students and professors in Dr. Doug Jackson’s C.S. Lewis class during the Spring of 2018. In the words of Dr. Jackson, “These devotionals are the smoke and scent sparked by prayerful encounters with the writings of perhaps the most beloved Christian author of the twentieth century.”