One of the wisest decisions a young person can make is to look for someone who has gone ahead and is willing to guide them. At 24, you feel strong, informed, and independent. But the truth is simple: you have never been 24 before. A 44-year-old has. Twenty years ago, they stood where you now stand. They have made mistakes, recovered from losses, seized opportunities, and learned lessons that no book can fully capture. Why struggle blindly when someone else has already passed that bus stop? For life’s major decisions like career, character, marriage, money, seek perspectives from those who have walked the road successfully.
Scripture gives us a sobering example. When Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, became king, he first consulted the elders who had advised his father. They gave him measured, wise counsel. But then he turned to his peers, young men who had grown up with him. And they offered harsher, pride-driven advice. He chose the voice of his equals over the wisdom of experience, and the kingdom fractured as recorded in 1 Kings 12. That single leadership decision cost him stability and legacy. Not all advice carries equal weight. Experience matters. Perspective matters. Proven fruit matters.
This does not mean your peers are useless. For “trending” matters like new technology, emerging trends, and digital tools, those in your age bracket may even see faster. But for macro direction, for life-shaping decisions, you need seasoned voices. Look for someone whose life you respect, whose character you admire, whose results are visible. Humble yourself enough to ask questions. Let them correct you. Let them guide you. Intentionally build relationships with them. Mentorship is not weakness; it is acceleration. You can learn some lessons the hard way, or you can inherit wisdom and move further, faster. Choose wisely who holds your hand in this season.
