“I think they want you to keep the hat,” Lynne whispered to me. I wasn’t certain, but I decided to go with it. We were visiting our good friends Ron and Suzie, who had recently moved to rural Tennessee (the population of the closest town is eight). They showed us to the guest bedroom, and there perched on the pillows was “the hat”!

I can’t say that I was surprised, as I’m always commenting on whether I am with or without adult supervision. I thought it was appropriate that the hat was well worn — kind of like me at this point. Frankly, I have no problem acknowledging my need for “adult supervision.” Jesus hinted at that in one of His teaching moments with His disciples. “At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’” (Matthew 18:1-5, ESV). The Greek word used for “child” in this passage is paidon, defined as “little or young child” (Young’s Analytical Concordance).

Years ago, I learned the hard way — always the hard way for Marines — my great need for humility. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Paul was educated at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the most prominent Rabbinical teachers of that day (Acts 22:3). But then he met Jesus and everything changed. Listen to his confession: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (Philippians 3:7-9).

Paul realized that head knowledge was nothing apart from the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit. “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’ — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

In light of all of this, I have no problem admitting my need for adult supervision, because that supervision comes from my Heavenly Father through the indwelling Spirit that guides and directs my path. I proclaim with Paul: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34). I cry out with the Psalmist, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).

What say ye, Man of Valor?