Dear Joseph,
Let me say, first of all, that it has been both an honor and a privilege to be your youth pastor, but even more so to be your friend. With my official resignation from the church taking effect tomorrow, this weekend marks the end of my relationship with you as your church’s “youth pastor,” but today’s events should serve only to strengthen the bond that we share as friends and as brothers in the Christian faith. Further, it is a sincere joy and pleasure to be able to share with you today during your Luke 2:52 Celebration. It is my prayer that God would shine down the infinite lights of his grace, mercy, and wisdom upon your life as you continue to, “…increase in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”
I would like to encourage you with five different things, each of which is connected to the others in very significant ways. They are all straight out of the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is a very special book. Its sole purpose is for a father to share wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—truth—with his son. Of course, I realize that I am not your father, but the wisdom and truth of the Proverbs is the absolute greatest source of knowledge, understanding, and encouragement that I could ever offer you.
The first thing I would like to share with you is the value of wisdom. I will not say much here, nor will I say much on any of these five points. I only hope that what I say will serve to lead you to the Bible’s Proverbs. It is from there—from God Himself in His Word—that you will learn what true wisdom is.
One writer has described wisdom as, “The best choice with the best result in every situation.” I agree one hundred percent! Proverb 4:4-5 says that, “If you seek it (wisdom, that is) like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” There is so much truth in those two verses, Joseph. Spend your life seeking after the wisdom of God. You will notice that inside the gift I have given you there is an index card. I have personally written down verses out of the book of Proverbs that relate to the five things I’m sharing with you in this letter. As you read through the Proverbs, look up the verses that I have written down. Know that I had you in mind and was praying for you as I read through those verses.
The second way I would like to encourage you is by telling you about the value of godly counsel—that is, the value of righteous and loving advice from people that God has placed in our lives to help guide us to the right and godly paths. One writer related to this truth by saying that, “Most often I have heard the voice of God through someone who cared about me and loved me enough to sit down with me and say, ‘It goes like this.’” I couldn’t agree more!
The third thing I want to share with you concerns the value of good, honest, hard work. If you are ever accused of anything, make sure that it’s not laziness. Continue on in the tradition of your family—may it be known that Joseph Littlejohn is a diligent, hard-working man in all that he endeavors to do. George Mueller, one of my heroes in the Christian faith, spoke about hard work this way: “This is one of the greatest secrets in connection with successful service for the Lord; to work as if everything depended upon your diligence, and yet not to rest in the least upon our exertions, but upon the blessing of the Lord.” I cannot say it any better than that! Be a good, hard worker, Joseph. You’ll never regret that you did, and God will bless your efforts.
The fourth thing I share with you is the value of humility. God makes it very clear that there is one thing that he cannot stand for—pride. Proverb 16:18 says that, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” The point of this verse should be very clear: if you ever think too highly of yourself, then you’re headed for some huge, embarrassing, and God-dishonoring mistakes. Count on it!
As sinners, Joseph, we have no reason whatsoever to think well of ourselves. Only by God’s grace can we be forgiven for all of our sins and lead lives that are pleasing to Him. But get this, any and everything that we ever do that is good and pleasant in the sight of the Lord—it’s only because He first forgave us and then enabled us that we can do any of these things at all! There’s no room for pride anywhere in that truth. Be humble, Joseph! In whatever God calls you to be and do, be humble.
The final word of encouragement I give to you concerns your mouth, your lips, and your tongue—in other words, everything that you say. Prov. 10:11 says that, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” May it be that your mouth is a fountain of life. Always, always, always watch what you say. The power one can wield over others by what they say is astounding. Never use your words to hurt, harm, bruise, cut, or manipulate anyone. Prov. 10:32 says that, “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.” Use your words to honor God and help others, Joseph. Our tongues are not vessels for lifting up ourselves, but for lifting up God and his truth. Always remember that.
I plead with you, Joseph, go to God’s Word and read the Proverbs. Try and read one chapter every single day. When you finish, start over and do it again…and again…and again! It won’t take long to realize that by reading them you learn them, and by learning them you remember and apply them, and by applying them you have found wisdom—God’s wisdom.
May it be that you grow into a wise and godly man. I love you, Joseph. I will miss you when I move. Thank you for being so faithful. Thank you for being my friend.
Your brother,
Deek Dubberly
March 28th, 2009
Luke 2:52 Celebration
