It
has been said, “People are only as old as they feel.” According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, the rapid growth in the number and
proportion of older adults is unprecedented in the history the U.S. In fact, it
is projected that the population demographic of Americans aged 65 years or
older will double in the next 25 years to nearly 72 million. By 2030, older
adults (or seniors) will comprise approximately 20% of the U.S. population.
Since
the time-period of the psalmist, the average lifespan of humans has increased
to greater than 70 or 80 years (Psa. 90:10) due in part to better nutrition,
living conditions, and medical advances. But how we grow old is far more important than how old we grow. So, what is God’s vision for older adults? What
does he expect of us in our twilight years?
First, God wants us to grow old wisely. Job said, “Wisdom is with the
aged, and understanding in length of days” (Job 12:12, ESV). While a person’s
youthfulness or elderliness is not always indicative of either foolishness or
wisdom, we should strive to mature spiritually with time and experience. The
lessons of hardship, success, and failure we learn in life should be passed on
to the younger. Hopefully the younger will have the humility and openness of
heart to listen.
Second, God wants us to grow old righteously. “Gray hair is a crown of
glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Prov. 16:31, ESV). God bless the
older person who, day by day, grows more closely into the likeness of Christ.
Paul instructed Titus (2:2-3), “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified,
self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women
likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.
They are to teach what is good.” Therefore, do your utmost best to set a
Christ-like example for those who are younger. Moreover, elderly Christians ought
to provide godly counsel and spiritually healthy advice.
Third,
God wants us to grow old serving him. Luke
tells us of Anna who, at the age of 84, “did not depart from the temple,
worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37). Someone once
said, “All I can do is pray.” Really? All I can do? My how we so often
underestimate the power of prayer! Just because you may be long in the tooth,
doesn’t mean that you should ever retire from the Lord’s army. God is not done
with you yet. Your most important, meaningful, and valuable service may still
be ahead of you.
Fourth,
God wants us to grow old trusting him.
God promised his people, “Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to
your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I
will bear you and I will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4). Growing older often comes
with numerous challenges—physically, emotionally, financially, relationally,
and spiritually. Never take your eyes off of your Lord and Savior. He will
never leave you or forsake you.
If
we take a quick look at the ancients in action, we can receive much
inspiration. Moses was 80 when God called and, although he cited many excuses,
he never mentioned his old age. Socrates gave the world his wisest philosophy
at 70, and at an extremely old age even learned to play musical instruments. Michelangelo
was still composing poetry and designing magnificent structures in his 89th
year. He painted the ceiling for the Sistine Chapel in Rome lying on his back
upon a scaffold at near 90.
It’s
clear that elderly people have much to offer and a lot to look forward to, the
good Lord willing. Every one of us has one thing in common: we’re all growing
older day by day. The question is not, “Are we going to get older?” but it is,
“How are we going to use our wisdom and experience to benefit others as we age?”
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