“We
don’t grow older, we grow riper.”
Pablo Picasso
Probably the biggest problem with Facebook is you’re supposed to post
pictures of your face…at least periodically. Recently, Jane and I had
lunch with her sister, Susan, and husband, Fred Froman. We then posted a
picture of the four of us on Facebook. Darlene Gomes, a mutual friend who’d
been in both of our youth groups many years ago in Warren, Michigan wrote
underneath, “How did you guys get so old when I’ve only aged a little?”
She was teasing (I hope). Darlene is a few
years younger than us, yet she makes a valid point. No one can slow down the
aging process. While we can’t keep ourselves from growing old, we have complete
control over how we will grow old and
what kind of older person we will be. Even if you’re already “older,” it’s not
too late to make some needed adjustments.
Unfortunately, most of us in our twenties or
thirties, rarely consider what kind of older person we want to be. We tend to age
purposelessly, much like bread grows mold. Habits or attitudes acquired early
on often become entrenched in our sundown years. Yet, there’s something
wonderful and fulfilling about being someone who’s “grown old in Jesus.” I’ve
had the privilege of knowing a few. By God’s grace, I want to be one...don’t
you?
The first funeral I conducted was for a dear
saint, Bess Norum. She was nearly 95 years young when Jesus called her Home. Bess
was sweet, yet a bit of a firecracker. When she was younger, she’d sung in
Billy Sunday’s choir during one of his revivals. Even at 94, she had a powerful
Christlike influence on others. Her closest friends had essentially dropped out
of church yet because of Bess’ encouragement, came back. Back then, our church
didn’t have air conditioning. For a small church of 40 people, to put it in was
a chunk of change. At the information meeting, Bess quipped we could make a lot
of lemonade for what it was going to cost. Yet, she was one of the early givers
who helped pay for the new air conditioning.
If we’re not already there, each of us will reach
that stage where there’s more of life’s road in the rearview mirror than in the
windshield. While there’s no shortage of old men and women, yet if you list out
those you want to be like, who you want to emulate, the list will be alarmingly
short.
This is true for a variety of reasons. Too
many drift into self-centeredness. Life becomes about “ME.” I remember trying
to feign interest on one occasion as a retired couple droned on and on about
the wonders of their RV and all the gadgets it had. Life was about travelling for
them and all the things THEY were going to do, but nary a word about what they
might do for someone else, even their own grandchildren. Many succumb to impatience,
which is ironic if you stop and think about it – what pressing matters do they
have? Others become critical or petty. Some sour with bitterness. Most live
in the past and no longer lean forward into the future.
You’ll find that those who are examples of quality
aging will not attract you because of their achievements or success, as we
often define it. What makes for an attractive aged person has much more to do
with character, attitude, the fruit of the Spirit and Christlikeness. By God’s
grace, all of us can make our twilight years our highlight years. Scripture has
many examples of older saints, many who are well worth emulating like Abraham,
Caleb, Simeon or Anna. Can I though focus on two elderly Bible saints often
overlooked that we can learn so much from?
One is Elizabeth, the mother of John the
Baptist. Scripture gives us just a glimpse of this godly matriarch. I’d
encourage you to take time to study her story for yourself in Luke 1. Elizabeth
is well up in years but childless. Rather, than allowing that fate to embitter
her, Elizabeth chose to be gracious, trusting the Lord. When she miraculously
conceives yet learns her younger cousin, Mary, is expecting, though it means
her son will play 2nd fiddle to Mary’s Son, Elizabeth rejoices with
her. She completely trusts and submits to God’s sovereign plan. She’s willing
to go against the tide when it comes to naming her son. Her commitment is to
pleasing the Lord even though it causes tongues to wag and say harsh things
about her.
I meet many older folk who’ve had hard lives.
Some, every opportunity they have, let others know how unhappy they are. While
others may not know the cause of the bitterness, they know this elderly person
has more wrinkles on their soul than their face. They’re miserable to be
around. Often they will bemoan, “None of my family or friends call me.” They fail
to connect their dark outlook with others’ absence.
The other one is Jacob. Here’s an individual
who truly fits the words of famed Bible commentator, Matthew
Henry, “The last days of the saints are
sometimes their best days, and their last work is their best work.” Early
in his life, Jacob had been a conniving, manipulative, deceitful and sour person.
He was a success as far as this world is concerned, but true success came to
him in the last two decades of his life.
Jacob believed his son,
Joseph, was dead. But when he learned Joseph was alive and went to Egypt to be
taken care of by Joseph, it was then Jacob had a one man revival. He allowed
the faith, forgiving spirit and graciousness of Joseph to influence him and re-direct
the trajectory of his life. The man who’d lived most of his life in fear became
a man of faith and vision. Prior to the Egypt years, Jacob’s children and
grandchildren gave him a wide berth, but something happened. Jacob changed and grew
a tender heart for God. He became a godly testimony to others. It’s why I love
Jacob. His last years demonstrate there’s always hope. With Christ working in
your life, anyone can change, no matter how old you are.
Even if your life hasn’t turned out like you
expected, ask yourself a vital question: What
kind of old man or woman do I want to be? You can’t undo the past or always
control your circumstances. You do have a choice about the life you’re going to
live. Many of us have a gut-wrenching choice to make. We can put our lives on
autopilot, drifting into becoming a grumpy geezer. Or, by God’s grace, we can
do the hard work of reinventing ourselves, reworking the last chapters of life
so we truly end “Happily Ever After with Jesus.” Do you need to write a new
chapter? It’s never too late!
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