Visit Your Local Library

There is a lot of information there. You’ll learn about people who lived before you. You’ll understand what happened, why it happened and how it affects you now. You’ll see human nature clearer and gain valuable life-changing lessons.

All that and much, much more is waiting for you, but you have to make the time and effort to get it. Most of us are in too big of a hurry. If you slow down and spend just a little time in this library, you’ll avoid a lot of mistakes and stress.

I don’t know who said it first, but it’s true. When an old person dies, a library burns down. The average person accumulates a vast storehouse of knowledge in a lifetime—some more than others. Some have a collection of better experiences and insights. Old minds are like antique stores. Some have better items than others. A decent, sensible, older head is a treasure chest of wisdom. That is even more true when that older person is a Christian. Any older person can usually give you good advice about spending and saving money, about how to get along with others, or about taking care of yourself. But older Christian men and women see the bigger picture. They think about the soul and eternity.

The wise man Solomon said, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Prov. 20:5). There are plenty of volumes in this library, but they won’t fly off the shelf into your hand. You have to search for them. You must ask. But don’t wait. Don’t think you already have the answers. Don’t be afraid or too stubborn to admit you don’t know. Take a trip to that library once in a while and you’ll come away wiser.

Kerry

West End church of Christ • December 14, 2025