Thriving in the Twilight Years

 “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”  George Burns

 When Angelyn Burk, a recently retired accountant, decided to crunch some numbers one evening last year, she made a stunning discovery: It would be cheaper for her and her husband to spend their retirement perpetually aboard cruise ships than to continue living on land. “This is how I want to retire,” Angelyn, 53, decided in that moment. “Life is too short.” She turned to her husband, Richard, and said: “We can do this. Let’s make cruise ships our home.” To her delight, he was onboard. They looked online and determined that, on average, they could string together voyages on various cruise ships for markedly less money than their collective cost of living on land. All they had to do was hop from ship to ship with some small breaks in between. 

  “We calculated that we can probably live reasonably well with about $100 a day together, with what we’ve saved up,” said Richard, 51, who retired as a computer programmer last month. “It’s like you’re at home,” Angelyn said. “We have a magnificent living room, an absolutely gorgeous dining room and a hot tub that never needs maintenance.” The Burks enjoy various activities offered onboard, including movie screenings, comedy performances and arts and crafts classes. As long as it remains financially feasible, the Burks intend to continue cruising — forever. “That would be our dream,” Richard said.

  While it may be a “dream” for them, the Bible teaches it’d be a nightmare. It’s a self-absorbed existence that does little if anything for anyone else. Studies show that the healthiest mentally and physically seniors are those who live for others. Volunteering and being involved in others’ lives has many benefits for seniors. It’s good for your mental health. It keeps the brain active, which contributes to mental health. Meaningful and productive activities help you feel happier and have a positive outlook. It prevents loneliness and isolation. Feelings of loneliness and few interactions with others negatively impact a person’s health. Getting out into the community promotes socialization. Individuals who engage in volunteering experience less depression. It gives you a feeling of purpose.  As we grow older, our sense of purpose can fade. Regaining a feeling of purpose through volunteering helps older adults feel recharged with a new zest for life. It helps you meet new friends. Life changes, such as moving to a new neighborhood or retiring, can make finding friends to spend time with difficult. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people. By working together towards the same mission, you build friendships with like-minded peers.

  We are blessed with many godly senior saints at Grace who are committed to investing in God’s Kingdom and in the lives of others.

  It’s the biblical model. For example, the nativity account is so much richer because of Simeon and Anna found in Luke 2. Simeon lived in Jerusalem. Anna lived in the Temple. Though aged, they were looking for the coming Messiah. The Bible is silent about Simeon's age, though it’s assumed he was elderly. Anna was over a hundred years old. Though up in years, they’re still serving in the Temple and looking for Christ to come.

  Joshua was nearly 100 when he led Israel into the Promised Land. He lived to be 110 years old and loved, trusted, and obeyed the Lord wholeheartedly until his last breath. His faith-filled friend, Caleb, is another example of unwavering faith. At forty, he was one of twelve men chosen to spy out the land of promise. He and Joshua returned with a good report, but the other ten came back with a negative one. God only allowed Joshua and Caleb out of the twelve to enter the promised land. Four decades in the wilderness never diminished Caleb’s faith. Forty-five years of waiting hadn’t dimmed his zeal for the Lord or weakened his passion to claim new territory for God.

  God’s plan is for every believer to age well. We won’t be mature until we’re like Jesus and we won’t be like Jesus until we open our eyes in glory. How can we age well? We must develop godly habits of trust, praise, and hope. A habit is developed by frequent repetition over a period of time. Some become habitual worriers or complainers. God’s plan is for us to grow in Christlikeness. Psalm 71 unpacks these three habits we must develop. It’s never too late to start, whether one is 10 or 100.

  The habit of trust (71:3). The whole psalm is an affirmation of the psalmist’s trust in the Lord. Though the psalmist was struggling because he was in difficult circumstances, he was un-staggering in his faith. He knew whom he believed. Such faith stems from a knowledge of God. True knowledge dispels doubt and fear. Are you developing a habit of trusting God in the difficulties of your life?

  The habit of praise (71:6). Most of us are naturally grumblers. God wants us to be people of praise. Even when difficult times come, He wants us to praise Him. The psalmist purposefully developed that habit.

  How can we learn to praise God when trials come? The answer is, “by learning to trust Him.” Just as trust stems from knowing God, so praise stems from trusting God. One of the best ways to grow in praise in the present is to remember what God has already done for you in the past. We tend to forget His many benefits on our behalf and thus we fail in praise.

  The habit of hope (71:14). Biblical hope is not “I hope so.” It’s certain because God is its object (71:5). It’s anchored to trust in God. Believers are to have a habit of hope built on the promises of God.

  When the great missionary pioneer, Adoniram Judson, was suffering from fever in a wretched prison in Burma. A friend sent him a letter, asking, “Judson, how’s the outlook?” Judson replied, “The outlook is as bright as the promises of God.” God’s people must be those who hope in God.

  Once when evangelist George Whitefield was complaining about the difficulties of ministry to some friends. He said that he was weary of the burdens and was glad his work would soon be over and he’d depart this earth to be with Christ. The others admitted to having similar feelings – all except one, a Mr. Tennant. Noting this, Whitefield tapped him on the knee and said, “Well, Brother Tennant, you are the oldest among us; do you not rejoice to think that your time is so near at hand when you will be called Home?” And that dear saint answered, “I have nothing to do with death. My business is to live as long as I can, and as well as I can, and serve my Savior as faithfully as I can, until He thinks it's time to call me Home.”

  Brother Tennant wasn’t “cruising” into heaven. He was going to go out on fire for Jesus. That’s the way that I want to go out! How about you?

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.