"Growing up and maturing is precisely a process of fermentation. It does not happen easily, without effort and without breakdown. But it happens almost despite us, because such is the effect of a conspiracy between God and nature to mellow the soul."

Ronald Rolheiser

"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."

Proverbs 4:7

We live in a youth-obsessed culture. It’s important to focus on the next generation; they are 100 percent of our future. But in all our zeal for a better world, breaking generational cycles, and leaving a life-giving legacy, we must not neglect one essential thing: the wisdom of Elders.

It's important to note that age does not make one an Elder. Age can make you older but not wiser. I have met many old and bitter fools. I have also met remarkable young people with wisdom beyond their years. Time and age can be incredibly formative if a person is thoughtful, reflective, courageous, and compassionate. Age can temper ungodly ambition, stabilize a man’s identity, and break his narcissistic tendencies. With grace and patience, an old man may emerge into a sage.

I need sages in my life. I need the wisdom of Elders. As a man, I often face challenges in my life and leadership for which I just don’t feel equipped. There is a tradition and perspective of wisdom and experience I need from the generation that has gone before me. I love the reformative zeal of the young, the passion for exploration and justice and life, but there are times I need proven leadership. I need timeless wisdom in momently confusion. There are times I need the elders.

The truth is, our world is often driven by those who have figured out algorithms but haven’t figured out life.

Our world is driven by the technician, not the sage.

Our world is driven by the marketer, not the theologian.

Our world needs Elders.

Andrew Jamieson has a chapter on the need for Elders in his writings on the midlife journey. He highlights the urgency for wisdom in times of crisis. When the stakes are high, the Elders must appear.

AVOIDING THE ANNIHILATION OF OUR FUTURES

The following is an extended quote highlighting the difference between the wisdom of Elders versus reactive and pragmatic aggression.

Jamieson notes,

In October 1962, humanity faced what the historian Arthur Schlesinger called "tthe most dangerous moment in human history." On the morning of October 16, the director of the CIA presented President Kennedy with irrefutable evidence that the Soviet Union was installing nuclear missiles on the island of Cuba, ninety miles from the US mainland. By mid-morning Kennedy had convened a meeting with his military chiefs, by the end of which the President had all but decided upon an immediate air strike against Cuba followed by a full-scale invasion of the island. Kennedy then was scheduled to have lunch with his US Ambassador to the United Nations, the veteran American politician and diplomat Adlai Stevenson. Kennedy greatly prized Stevenson’s experience and wisdom and had publicly stated that ‘the integrity and credibility of Adlai Stevenson constitutes one of our greatest national assets.’ 

Kennedy invited Stevenson into the Oval Office, explained his predicament and told him that he was about to activate the full military option advised by his generals. Stevenson was deeply concerned to hear about the Soviet actions, but was even more horrified to hear about the massive military response that Kennedy was about to unleash and insisted that there should be no air strike or invasion until every possible peaceful solution had been explored. 

He also advised that the motives behind the Soviet’s reckless strategy should be carefully examined before responding with an equally reckless military approach. Kennedy then discussed the veteran Stevenson’s warning with his brother Bobby and thankfully the US military action was postponed. 

For the next thirteen days two conflicting views polarized around Stevenson’s diplomatic, less bellicose approach and the aggressive, belligerent views of the military leadership led by the head of the army, Maxwell Taylor, and the head of the air force, General Curtis LeMay.

LeMay was a particularly unpleasant individual who regarded his greatest achievement as ‘Operation Meetinghouse’, an air raid which took place in March 1945 when 325 B-29 bombers incinerated sixteen square miles of Tokyo, killing 100,000 civilians. It was the deadliest, most violent four hours in human history. The power of LeMay’s invective now seemed to be propelling the argument towards a nuclear strike against Cuba with consideration given to a pre-emptive strike against the Soviet Union itself. Yet as the debate continued, the doves, led by Stevenson, slowly began to prevail over the hawks, led by LeMay. 

Finally, it was Stevenson’s advice that Kennedy followed and the President chose a naval blockade of Cuba rather than the military strategy of bombing or invasion. 

The President also implemented Stevenson’s proposal that the US should offer to exchange their missiles based in Turkey for the Cuban-based Soviet missiles. The Generals were, of course, violently opposed to this plan and regarded it as a sign of weakness, but this gesture of reconciliation became US government policy which greatly reduced superpower tensions. Once the naval blockade was imposed Stevenson was also significantly involved in the formulation of all communications that Kennedy sent Russian premier Nikita Khrushchev until the crisis was resolved. 

At this critical moment in history – the nearest we have come to species extinction – a kind of natural selection was at work. Subsequent historical analyses suggest that had Kennedy taken the bombing and invasion option, there was a high probability that catastrophic nuclear conflict would have followed. 

The species was saved, however, by the prudent counsel of a wise elder which produced a measured, more compromise-orientated approach: a policy based upon communication and understanding in all matters regarding nuclear weapons.

BUILDING A COUNCIL OF ELDERS

When a young man rejects the wisdom of the Elders, disaster ensues. There is a tragic scene in 2 Chronicles 10:8 where David's son Rehoboam does just that. "But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him." 

This cost him the kingdom and caused a divided kingdom.

You must seek out Elders in your life. You must find those who can speak from a place of peace, clarity, and depth. Those who act and not just react. Those who can see beyond the horizon of the immediate. Those who draw from a deep well that can quench your thirst in the desert of immaturity.

Pursue the wise in your community.

Pay a coach to help develop you.

Honor the generation who came before you and create spaces for them to share what they carry.

Honor the wise over the superficial.

Wisdom may end up being a new apologetic.

Wisdom may save your life.

Call for the Elders.

Thanks for reading,

Cheers.

Jon.