Proverbs 20:29-30 (ESV)
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
strokes make clean the innermost parts.
There are benefits to both youth and age. The young have more physical strength and energy than the aged, but those who are mature possess the wisdom that comes from years and decades of righteous living. The youth and the elderly complement one another and should see their need for dependence upon each other. When wrong behavior is met with painful consequences, the suffering that results can work like the external scrubbing of metal pots to cleanse from impurity. Though no one enjoys being hurt, the blows of life can add to a person’s integrity, strength, and ability to navigate circumstances in a godly manner. In age, are you young or old? If you are old, are you sharing wisdom with the youth around you? And if you are young, are you purposefully seeking out older mentors? Don’t isolate yourself from people in different life stages. Work together with one another today.