As we grow older, often times we become unsure what our role is in the community, church or friendship circles. Many of our friends are unable to participate in activities and we, too, see limitations circling our own lives, tightening our sphere of involvement and making certain demands on our time and energies. Consider some of the Biblical characters who continued to serve God in meaningful ways as they aged.
Abraham and Sarai were 100 and 90 years of age when God made a covenant with him. “You will be the father of many nations.” (Gen 17: 4). So Sarai conceived and soon Isaac joined their family and the covenant was put into action. And so it was in the generations to come. Moses was a mere 80 years old when God called him out of exile to lead the Children of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years to possess the Promised Land. The covenant with Abraham was being extended through Moses. (Ex 3). God prepared Joshua to lead His people across the Jordan River into the land promised after Moses’ death. His instructions to Joshua was to “possess the Promised Land; just as I was with Moses I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. So be strong and courageous for you will lead My people to inherit the land promised to their forefathers.” (Josh 1: 2-6). Joshua now was about 80 years old, as was his assistant Caleb.
Many of the prophets were ‘elderly” and faithfully served the Lord, calling His people back to repentance and commitment. Through the Old and New Testaments, we find no hint that ‘retirement’ from the Lord’s work or service is discussed. The call of discipleship is a life-time commitment, to the very end. The Great Commission Jesus gave His disciples seems to answer that question. (Matt 28: 16-20).
There are two elderly saints mentioned in Luke’s Gospel (2: 25-38) who missed the retirement message or party. They continued in their old age to serve the Lord as they always had done. (Simeon and Anna) We find them worshiping, praying and encouraging others at the Temple day after day. Because they ‘lived so close to God’, they recognized Jesus as the Messiah (even as a babe) when his parents brought him to the Temple to be named and circumcised (according to the Law of Moses). The Spirit of God so filled them they recognized Him as the promised “Consolation of Israel – the Messiah” and offered prayers and blessings over Him.
Paul, as an old worn-out traveling evangelist and missionary, wrote these words to his young pastor friend -Timothy: “I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now I am ready for the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award me on the day of my departure.” At an old age, He served the Lord, spending his last days in a Roman prison. (2 Tim 4).
The Apostle John, in his old age, was caught up in the Spirit and wrote (in exile) a glorious account of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven – “a new heaven and a new earth.” The early Councils that met to examine the manuscripts they “considered inspired by the Holy Spirit of God,” selected his work to include in the collection of our Biblical Canon. Yes, God still uses folks our age (80’s 90’s, and even 100 and beyond).
“Whatever your age today, plan on remaining faithful and active your entire life. If you are available, God will use you to bless someone, even today. “The only aged saints who don’t get used by God are those who have removed themselves from service.”*
You may not be asked to serve anymore in areas you feel you are qualified at church. You may not be called on to voice a prayer, sing in the choir though you love music, serve food at special functions, or participate in activities you long have favored. Don’t lose heart; create your own ministry list. Make a list of homebound persons or bereaved families (or others in need) that you can share treats with, call or write. Consider visiting those confined to a nursing home or assisted living areas. Adopt a college student, a young family or single adult with children to minister to from time to time. Cut fresh flowers and share them with ill neighbors or friends. Bake your favorite cake or pie to share with folks on your “ministry list”…..and on and on. See there is no limit! Just because you feel neglected sometimes is no reason to stop serving your Lord.
Defeat this feeling; this attitude is not consistent with Biblical teaching. Choose to ‘look upward and not down at the floor.’ The Lord will bless you and you will draw new strength just knowing you can still be effective in serving the Lord in your latter years. Now is a good time to begin. Step 1 is to pray; then make your list of names, list things you can do for others, make a schedule and begin. Consider ‘one contact a week’ to begin this new adventure of usefulness. The Lord will truly bless.
Don’t stop, don’t sit down, don’t settle for a rocking chair to watch TV all day long. The Lord is not through with us yet, even though someone keeps reminding us we are getting old! Don’t let that capture your thought processes! Instead change that statement to something like: ‘not older just wiser and better, or just more mature, etc.’
Celebrate life; celebrate age. For age is not selective in whom it chooses. We all are blessed beyond what we truly deserve. Abe Lincoln is credited with saying: “And in the end, it is not the years in your life that counts, it is the life in your years that is most important.” So, Seniors – let’s make a difference; let’s ‘give of our best to the Master’! *
Morning and Evening Devotions, David Jeremiah, pg. 627.