Over the weekend, I asked a couple of guys to come over and move a sleeper sofa from the lower level of my home to the upper level. I knew it would be a challenge and one that I was dreading. If you’ve ever moved one, you know why. They are heavy. They’re bulky. They’re awkward.

However, the sofa needed to be moved. So I connected with a young guy on staff and asked if he could bring a couple of friends over to move this sofa. He said it wouldn’t be a problem.

On Saturday, three were expected, but one backed out. There were only two. But they assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem and that they would indeed get it upstairs.

I watched as they started up my winding staircase. I also watched as they lifted it directly over their heads to round the last two curves. Honestly. It was like bench pressing a couch! They did it with such ease that I stood there with my mouth gaping. It was pretty remarkable.

They placed the sofa in its new location and I thanked them for their efforts. I also said, “You two are too young to know that you’re not supposed to do that.”

I fed and paid this pair for their work. They were my heroes! And they are still talking to me.

I recall those times in my life when I was too young to know better. When I was certain I could get away with a sin or that sin wouldn’t affect my life. I was too young to realize that there was no way to love both God and the world. Perhaps you’ve experienced this as well.

James warned his readers of this dangerous thought pattern. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 – NIV) There is no way we can dabble in sin and get away with it. When we live this way, we are God’s enemy. We’ve joined forces with God’s greatest enemy, the evil one. I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be in that camp.

As I’ve matured, both physically and spiritually, I’ve come to recognize my sin for what it is. Separation from my heavenly Father.

Oh, I still sin. I still allow my sinful nature to overpower my desire to be more like Jesus. I’m old enough to know what I should do. I’ve read and studied enough Scripture to know the things I ought to do. And when I don’t, I sin (James 4:17).

When I sin, God “gives more grace.” (James 4:6 – NIV)

Growing old (or older) does have its advantages. I’m wiser today than I was at 16. I’m smarter today than I was at 22. I’m more generous now than I was at 30. I’m more thankful now than I was at 35. And I was reminded of this verse this week. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31 – NIV)

I am old enough to know that I can’t attain righteousness on my own. I will foul it up every time. But God knew that and He had a plan. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 – NIV)

How have you grown “older” in your spiritual life? Do you continue to seek wisdom from God’s Word? Are you allowing Jesus’ righteousness to cover you? Will you be a friend of the world or an enemy of God? I pray that you are old enough to know better!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna