Pass It On
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses intrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (II Tim. 2:2)
There is nothing so tragic as possessing the knowledge of how to live and keeping it to yourself. Would we dream of letting some little old lady stand stranded on the side of the road because of a malfunction in her automobile if we know how to fix it for her? Would we consider standing by and watching someone build a wall out of square if we know how to instruct them in the proper way to square a wall? Would we allow our children to cut the grass, leaving streaks a foot wide when we could simply instruct them in a better way? Certainly not!
In these examples we find ourselves bending in compassion and a willingness to share what we have learned in order to assist them in their dilemma. Most of us are just not so busy that we would let someone stay stranded or work inefficiently when we know a better way.
Why is it then, when we talk of growing up in the Lord, we will stand by and let men and women struggle with “out of square” walls in their lives when we know how to help them make it square? How is it that we can take the hundreds and hundreds of combined years of experience in a congregation such as ours and not “use it” by passing it on? What can be going on in our minds that would let us tolerate such selfishness in our own lives?
That sounds kind of rough, doesn’t it? From the positive side, maybe we just haven’t thought to do it. We have now, haven’t we? Assuming that we have not been passing on what we have learned, what can we do about it?
First of all, we need to realize the value of our experience and the knowledge we have gained. No matter who we are or what area we serve in, we must see that we have something to share.
Secondly, we must be willing to share it. If we think it is valuable to others, we will do it.
Thirdly, we must have a plan. We have to make a conscious decision about how we can share practical, Biblical information and experience. It may be with one individual, just one on one. It may be though the pen. It may be before a class. Or, it may just be through soft, positive suggestions.
Those of us who have any experience in the Lord have something exciting and valuable to share and it is past time that we realize the need to do so.