“What would you say to your younger self if you had an opportunity to speak to that person?”
It is a classic interview or essay question. Life coaches and psychologists have exhaustively analyzed the responses to this question and have broadly grouped the answers into three categories: relationships, opportunities, and self care. Relationships dealt with issues like not rushing into marriage. Opportunities centered around issues like following one’s passions. Self-care focused upon reaffirming one’s self-worth and seeking encouragement when disappointment occurs. What does the Bible say?
The book of Ecclesiastes is often acknowledged to be written by King Solomon, the wisest and one of the wealthiest men who ever lived. He was a man who wrote over three thousand proverbs, composed over a thousand songs, and reigned over the greatest time of peace and power in the kingdom of Israel. People traveled from all over the world to hear his wisdom. His advice is still relevant for today.
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NLT)
Ecclesiastes is replete with many nuggets of practical advice. This verse resonates with me because I certainly could have used this advice when I was younger. It encapsulates the broad categories that were outlined earlier. When I had the vigor of good health and lacked the responsibilities of a job and family, the travails of age were the furthest thing from my mind. It is no surprise that it took so many years before God’s message of salvation penetrated my heart. I was too preoccupied with having a good time to be bothered with weighty issues like repentance of sins.
What would I say to my younger self?
Once again, God provides the perfect answer!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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