Wisdom (teeth)

Seems like everyone is losing their wisdom.

Teeth I mean.

What are wisdom teeth?  Here's the official definition: Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties.

I've pulled out 2 of them myself.

So if you had to pull out any wisdom teeth lately... be it because of braces or some other reason, I hope you're all doing alright.

I had a thought today though. Sometimes... our wisdom teeth need to go.  It may be painful and it may hurt for awhile... but sometimes they need to go.  They grow up with you... and they're usually the last physical representation of your youth.  When your wisdom teeth are grown out, it's kind of like your body's way of saying "Welcome to adulthood."  But many of us will live our lifetimes without getting rid of our wisdom teeth.  We gives excuses: it's too painful. It's too expensive.  It's not really necessary.  I'll take them out when it hurts...

And in a way, pulling out wisdom teeth is like evaluating the friends and relationships that we have in our life.  I mean really think about the people that surround ourselves with.  The people we trust.  The people we've grown up with.  They're our best friends... our shoulders to cry on... our army when we need it.  But deep down inside... we know that some of these relationships and friendships aren't good for us.  But we make excuses to stay their friend - It's too painful not to be their friend anymore.  I can change them.  We've been friends for so long.  They'll hate me.

Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

It's interesting that God doesn't say that a companion of fools becomes a fool... but suffers harm.  You may not do everything your friends do, but we've all gotten in trouble just for being somewhere we weren't supposed to be or we were with someone we weren't supposed to be with.  Your friends' behavior is destructive, and eventually, you will be brought down with it.

As junior highers, there aren't too many of you guys who get this... but I hope that repeating this in your life... you will eventually understand.  Your friends' destructive behavior is not worth being around.  And this is a promise... their behavior will eventually get you too.

The earlier you get rid of your wisdom teeth... the better.  Don't wait til your wisdom teeth all come out and mess up the alignment of your other teeth.  Don't wait until your wisdom teeth loosen your main teeth... and you have dental issues the rest of your life.

The sooner you recognize which friends are destructive, the better.  Don't wait until their behavior explodes and you're caught in the explosion.  Don't fall victim to your friends' inability to change.  You really want to do them a favor though? Bring em to church.  Don't be pulled into their world... pull them into the arms of Jesus.

When you're with your friends, who's doing the pulling?

Get rid of your wisdom teeth.

-P. Kev