Greg Laurie - What I Would Tell My Younger Self - Part 2

Here’s another thing an older Greg would say to a younger Greg, advice I would give to anyone, young people, but older people, as well, «Have an attitude of gratitude». Have an attitude of gratitude. Back to the verse I quoted in Philippians 4. «Thank God for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand».

Listen, there are things in life that happen to us that make no sense, inexplicable things. Yes, it is true, bad things happen to good people. Sometimes bad things even happen to godly people. Take Job, as an example. This was a godly man. This man was so godly, the Lord was bragging on him in heaven. But the Lord allowed a series of calamities to befall his servant, and Job lost pretty much everything. He lost members of his family. He lost his possessions. He lost his health. And we read that Job gave thanks to God, not for what was happening, but despite what was happening, Job gave thanks to the Lord.

And so, we should have an attitude of gratitude. We say, «Lord, I don’t know why this is happening, but I am rejoicing that you’re still on the throne, and I’m going to give thanks to you, because you are good, and you are in control of my life». So, spend less time complaining and spend more time rejoicing. You’ll feel better if you do. Actually, medical research has been done that has revealed that people who gave gratitude to God and gave thanks for what they had experienced fewer heart issues, fewer aches and pains, and it changed their outlook on life.

Here’s another piece of advice an older me would give to a younger me, or that I would give to any person, especially a young person, «Live with honesty and integrity». Live with honesty and integrity. What is integrity? Integrity is what you are in the dark, when nobody is watching you. And I bring this up because, you know, there are people in life that cheat, and they lie, and they steal, and they cut corners, and they seem to get away with it. And they say, «Well, why shouldn’t I do that? Why should I play by the rules? They don’t play by the rules. And look, they got that job because they lied on their resume». Or «They got that job to build that building, even though they cut corners and didn’t pull the proper permits». Or «Look, that person cheated on their spouse, and they got away with it. And I’ve been faithful to my spouse. And why shouldn’t I do what they do»? Because in the end, all these people are going to reap what they sow. The Bible says, «Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap».

Listen, the longer I live, the more impressed I am with character over charisma. I’ve seen a lot of preachers with dynamic personalities flame out because they did not seek to maintain honesty and integrity. Psalm 101 verse 2 says, «I’m careful to live a blameless life. I will lead a life of integrity in my own home». Then Psalm 119:1 says, «Joyful people are people of integrity». The great evangelist D.L. Moody once said, «If I take care of my character, God will take care of my reputation».

Here’s point number seven, what an older Greg would say to a younger Greg, «Marry the right person». Listen, if you’re single, I believe God has a person picked out for you. In fact, you can start praying for your spouse right now, even though you don’t know them. Maybe you do know them. Who knows? But you can start praying for them now. But when you’re looking at potential candidates of who to spend the rest of your life with, looking at who could be the potential mother or father of your children, who could be the grandparent of your grandchildren, start here, look for a godly person. Find someone that’s even more godly than you. Don’t find some person who’s not a Christian and marry them.

The Bible says, «Don’t be unequally yoked together with nonbelievers. What fellowship does light have with darkness»? Don’t do that, listen, honestly, marriage is challenging enough. Don’t marry a non-believer on top of it. You need someone you can pray together with, and commit things to the Lord with, and look to God for the strength. Marriage can be challenging in life, but once you make this commitment, it should be a lifelong commitment. Wedlock should be a padlock, and I mean that in the best way.

And if you’re unwilling to do this, if you want to just experiment with it, and get married, and maybe get divorced if it doesn’t work out, do us all a favor and stay single, but rather think about this, pray about this, and take your time. The Bible says love is patient. Some people want to rush into marriage. «Oh, we have to get married immediately». No, get to know one another. The Bible says, «Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it». If your love for that man or that woman is a real love, it will stand the test of time. Make the right decision and marry the right person.

Here’s point number eight, what an older Greg would say to a younger Greg, «Tell those you love that you love them». Tell the people you love that you love them. Don’t wait, don’t say, «Well, they know, I’m sure they know». But it never hurts to have someone say, «I love you». They can’t read your mind. Say it, because there’s going to come a moment when you’re going to have a last conversation with someone you love. You may not realize it was your last conversation. That’s why it’s a good thing to end your conversation with, «I love you».

When the Lord called our son Christopher home 13 years ago, I know that he knew that I loved him. Though I missed him desperately, though we were devastated by this horrific event, we always told him we loved him, and that’s a very important thing to do. Don’t wait until their funeral. They won’t hear what happens at their funeral. «Well, I’ll bring flowers then». No, bring your flowers now. Stop what you’re doing, think about people you love, your parents, your children, your siblings, someone that’s meant a lot to you. Send them a text, send them an email. Even better, write it on a card. You know why it’s cool to write it on a card? 'Cause they can keep it, and they can pull it out. Just say, «I just wanted to take a moment to say I appreciate you, and I love you. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me».

Number nine, here’s what an older Greg would say to a younger Greg, «Take better care of your hair, you’re gonna lose it,» no, that’s not the point. Here it is, «Keep short accounts and forgive». Keep short accounts and forgive. Listen to this. People are going to disappoint you in life, even people you love, they’re going to let you down. They’re going to say something that hurts you. Something’s going to happen. You’ll feel that you’ve been betrayed. Maybe you have been betrayed. Maybe you just think you’ve been betrayed. But whatever it is, you’re going to face hurt and pain in life.

Here’s what you don’t want to do, harbor grudges against people because that can hurt you. Recent studies suggest that those that do not forgive are more likely to experience high blood pressure, bouts of depression, and problems with anger, stress, and anxiety. See, so when I forgive someone, I’m not letting them off the hook. I’m avoiding a lot of misery in my own life. Forgiveness is not about absolving the perpetrator. It’s about healing the victim.

Ah, there’s a man who directs a Stanford Forgiveness Project, and he said, quote, «Forgiveness isn’t giving in to the other person. It’s getting free of the other person». As I’ve said before, when you forgive someone, you set a prisoner free: yourself. Don’t live in a prison that you’ve put yourself in of anger, and bitterness, and resentment, and have it actually ruin your life. Ephesians 4:30 says, «Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God through Christ has forgiven you».

Point number ten, «Have fun». Yes, you heard me right. Have fun. Some of the simplest joys of life are before you every single day. Savor the sunset. Enjoy the meal. Linger with family and friends. Don’t be in such a rush to the next thing, live in the moment. And I think one way to do this is put the cell phones away. Word of advice, «When you sit down for a meal, don’t take cell phones to the table». If you have the little watch that gets the alerts, maybe take the watch off, too, and just have a conversation with the people around you. On more than one occasion, I’ve been with people, and everyone’s on their cell phone, and I’ll text them, «Be here now». Let’s put these phones away, and let’s have a conversation with each other.

Here’s what I’ve found, the greatest joys in life will come from your relationship with God and with others. But sometimes we’re always thinking about what’s going to come. «Oh, when this comes, I’m going to be so happy. When this happens, it’ll be so great». Wait, what about the moment right now? I’ve found the greatest moments of life are often the in-between ones. Let me use Disneyland as an illustration. I haven’t been back there for a while. But, you know, it’s so exciting when you pull into the parking lot at Disneyland. It’s so thrilling when you actually walk into the park. «And, oh, it’s so great! I’m so glad to be here». But after three or four hours, you’re kind of looking forward to leaving, right? We get so psyched about the event, we miss the things that happened before the event and after the event. So, savor those in-between moments. Try to laugh more.

Paul the Apostle said, «Rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I say rejoice». So, where was Paul when he wrote that? Oh, he’s laying on some beach, sipping an iced tea, soaking up some rays. No, no, no. He was in prison. But despite the fact that he was in prison, writing to the believers in Philippi, he says, «Rejoice in the Lord always». Lighten up, don’t take yourself so seriously. Criticize less, compliment more.

Here’s another one, «Be a generous person». Be a generous person. You might say, «Well, Greg, I’m not wealthy. I can’t afford to be a generous person». This has nothing to do with how much money you have in your bank account. It’s just an attitude in life. Be a giver, not a taker. Be the person that offers that something to someone else, that you’ll split your meal. And I’ll be honest, I don’t like to split my meal with anyone. When I go to a restaurant with my wife, she’ll say, «What are you going to order»? I’ll say, «I’m going to order a hamburger». She says, «Well, I’m going to order a salad». Okay, and I’ll say, «You’re going to want some of my burger». «No, I don’t want any of your burger. I just want a salad».

Okay, fine. So, the burger comes, her salad comes, and now I’m eating my burger. I’m almost to the last bite. I’m looking forward to it. And just as I’m ready to take it, my wife will say, «Can I have a bite of that»? Ugh, ugh, ugh. «Sure, here». It’s hard sometimes for us to share, but be a generous person in life. There are three things we can give to God, our time, our talent, and our treasure. God’s given you your life. God’s given you every beat of your heart. He’s given you your time. Invest your time wisely serving the Lord. The Bible says, «Redeem the time because the days are evil». And a better translation of that would be, «Make wise use of every opportunity».

So, bring your time to the Lord. Then you bring your talent. God has given you talent. Dedicate your talent to the Lord. Use your talent for the glory of God. You say, «Well, I’m not a preacher,» so what? I don’t know that we need more preachers, but we need more Christian businessmen, and we need more Christian entertainers, and we need more Christians in sports, and we need more Christians in accounting, and we need more Christian attorneys, and we need more Christians in politics, and we need more Christians in so many areas of life, just men and women that say, «I’m here to glorify God. I’m going to bring my time. I’m going to bring my talent. And finally, I’m going to bring my treasure». Everything you have has been given to you by God. Be a generous person.

Number 14, «Tell others about Jesus and then disciple them». This is called the Great Commission. Jesus said, «Go into all the world and preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. And lo, I am with you even to the end of the age». Jesus is saying he will be with the person who does this in a special way. It means that we look for opportunities to initiate conversations about Christ. To the best of our ability, we seek to lead people to the Lord, and then we disciple them.

You say, «What does that even mean»? It means you take them under your wing, and you help them get up on their feet, spiritually. Here’s why discipling a new believer is important for the new believer, as well as for the old believer. The older believer stabilizes the younger believer, and the younger believer energizes the older believer. So, you know, when you’ve been going to church for 10, 15, 20 years, I don’t know what you do after the service, but maybe you start critiquing things. «Did you see what she was wearing? And, oh, man, can you believe how loud the music was? And that sermon seemed a little too long».

You know, you kind of gripe and complain maybe. But let’s say you have a brand-new believer with you. They’ve just accepted Christ two weeks ago. They’re in that bloom of first love. I guarantee you’re not gonna be critiquing the sermon, or critiquing the church, because the new believer will say, «You know, the pastor said this, and I’ve never heard that before». So, you’ll find yourself elaborating on it. Do you understand how that’s helping you as well as it’s helping them? But see, a lot of us don’t do this.

You know, we’re not sharing the truth. We’re hoarding the truth, and we just think about ourselves. But a true mark of spiritual maturity is when we get our eyes off of ourself and start thinking of others, but then there’s the joy of sharing, because Jesus said it’s more blessed to give than it is to receive. Share your faith, seek to disciple others. And here’s another one, «Spend time with older godly people». Sometimes when you’re young, you just want to hang around young people. I remember when I was a brand-new Christian, I was 17. I knew a lot of people my own age, but I went out of my way to find older people to hang around, do you know why? I thought, «What do these other young people know? I don’t think they know much more than I know».

So, I met people that were older, like Pastor Chuck Smith, his wife Kay Smith, an associate pastor there at the church he pastored, Calvary Chapel, named Pastor Romain. I spent time talking to them. You know why? I didn’t have a dad, growing up. I didn’t have a mom, growing up. I needed an older person to help me figure life out, to give me some life hacks, if you will, and they did that. They spent time with me. I didn’t just listen to them speak. I had meals with them, and did fun things with them, and got to see what a Christian looks like up close and personal, especially an older, more mature believer. A little bit later on in my life, I became friends with a great British preacher, Alan Redpath, who wrote a lot of amazing commentaries.

And, of course, I became friends with Billy and Ruth Graham. Being with these godly people impacted me. Find godly people you can be with. So, if you’re an older believer, find a younger believer you can bring under your wing. If you’re a younger believer, find an older believer you can learn from. Paul says to Timothy, «Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others».

See, we’re in a race as Christians, and this race has a beginning, middle, and end. I expect that I am toward the end of my race. I’m certainly not at the beginning of it. And this is a relay race, and my job in this race is not to hold onto the baton forever. I have to hand it on to the next runner to carry it forward. We need to do the same, and we need to share these truths, if you’re older, with younger people. God told Moses to teach these truths to his children when they sit down, when they lie down, when they walk, when they get up, and they go to bed. In other words, just integrate this truth into the life of other people throughout life in general. Listen to this, «Worldview for young people is formed between the ages of 18 months and the age of 13».

Those are the most critical years to pour truth into the life of a younger person. Find a younger person and do that. And if you’re a younger person, get someone to help you with that. Here’s my final point, which is simply this, don’t give too many points when you’re saying what an older you would say to a younger you. No, I’m kidding, the last point is this, «Finish your race well». I mentioned we’re in a race, the race of life. Paul says many people are in the race. Run that you may win. We all want to run to win. We all are running for the gold. You know, we want to do the best we can with the life that God has given us. There will come a moment when we have our last meal, and we give our last statement, and then we’re done. We breathe our last breath.

Hopefully, we can say, along with the Apostle Paul, and this, of course, is found in 2 Timothy 4. «I fought the good fight. I kept the faith. I finished the course. Henceforth, there is laid before me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me in that day and not to me only, but to all who love his appearing». You don’t know when the end of your race will come. My son’s race ended at 33. And we used to race on the beach, by the way, him and I. He was a great runner, Christopher, but somehow I could beat him for many years, even though he was a good runner. He was a long-distance runner. I was a sprinter.

So, I would challenge him to a race. I would always have the race favor me. I would pick a rock up the beach. I’ll say, «Let’s race to the rock. On your mark, get set, go». Well, it would favor me 'cause I’m a sprinter, and I would always beat him. And one day, we were walking along the beach. I said, «Let’s race to that rock. Get ready,» and off we go. And he not only beat me, he really beat me. And I think that he has gone to heaven before me. He beat me in the race. You think, «Well, I have a long ways to run this race and live this life. Maybe I’ll get right with God when I’m in my 80s or 90s». No, your race may be coming to an end more quickly than you plan for. So, always be able to say, «I fought the good fight. I kept the faith. I finished the course». Run this race well.

Speaking of advice, I once was sitting with Pastor Chuck Smith, and I asked him this question, «Chuck, what would an older Chuck say to a younger Chuck? What advice would you give yourself»? And Chuck’s response was simply, «Hold the course». I wasn’t sure what that meant. I said, «What do you mean, hold the course? You mean, like we’re in the race of life, and you just hang in there and keep running»? He said, «That’s it. Hold the course». That’s what he did, by the way. He held the course into his mid-80s before the Lord called him home. I say to you seasoned saints, you that have been walking with the Lord for some time, hold your course, keep running this race, because you never know when the race will end.