Dear Husband’s parents are in their early nineties.  For the fifty years that I have known them, they have been an example to me.  They have always been givers.  Not just giving their money, but also their time and skills to their church and to anyone in need.  Lately their bodies are tired and they can’t do for others like they used to.  But now they are my examples in aging faithfully.  They still give their money, of course.  But they also give so much more.  They are good listeners, always interested in the lives of others.  They give their encouragement generously.  They pray in a serious manner for so many people I couldn’t begin to number them.  Mom doesn’t use a computer, but she sends letters and cards to those facing difficulties and does her best to call them in spite of her hearing loss. Dad is wise but never gives unsolicited advice.  They don’t complain, but they honestly admit their limitations. They work every day.  They delight in the successes of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Every morning finds them praying fervently for others and reading their Bibles.  Altho they’re no longer able to attend church in person, they always listen to a sermon on TV.  They love a good laugh.  They trust God completely.  I’m so grateful that I’ve had two people on the path ahead of me modeling godly behavior and attitudes!

As we age, we can fall into the trap of thinking that our usefulness has to diminish with age.  Or that our best contributions are behind us.  We don’t think our latter years could be as important as our younger years.  We decide that learning new things is too hard.  We get comfortable and lazy and won’t step out into challenges.  Our personal comfort becomes more important than contributing to others.   Our pride prevents us from trying because it holds the potential for failing.  Our pessimism makes us prisoners.  Our self-limiting beliefs are self-fulfilling.  We don’t believe God can use us and so he can’t.

God has a different view of aging.  He has a plan for us as long as we live.  If we’re willing, he will use us till our last breath.  The Scriptures are full of the stories of faithful old saints who kept believing and serving. God doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age!  This Scripture passage about who was to lead worship music in the Old Testament Temple is one example of God’s attitude.

“All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the Lord. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, harps, and lyres at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king.  They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician.  The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student.”  1 Chronicles 25:6-8

It seems to me that God handles old age in different ways.  Sometimes he gives us supernatural physical and mental strength to accomplish tasks he has given us.  Abraham and Sarah were miraculously enabled to have a son in their old age because of their faith in God’s promise.  From that child, a whole nation came into being.  Similarly, Zechariah and Elizabeth were also enabled in their old age to have a son because of their faith. Their child prepared his people’s hearts for the arrival of the Messiah.  Joshua and Caleb were both physically and mentally strong into their eighties by God’s power.  Joshua was still leading the nation and Caleb initiated the conquering of the most difficult stronghold that had been undefeated for millennia.  They were examples of purpose and drive in old age and God’s miraculous power.

Sometimes God gives us grace to accept our limitations and keep serving as best we can.  The apostle Paul relied on God’s grace to enable him to continue to teach, preach, and establish new churches in spite of a serious handicap.   Jesus’ beloved disciple, John, wrote Revelation in his old age while he was exiled to a lonely island.  Peter was martyred in his old age for refusing to deny his Lord.  What a long way he had come from his youthful denial!

Sometimes God expects us to pass on our responsibilities to the next generation and step back to support. The Scriptures are full of older people preparing younger people to take their place.  These stories give honor and dignity to older folks showing that they have a lot to contribute to the younger generation.  Moses mentored Joshua right up to the time God took him.  Elijah apprenticed Elisha to carry on his prophet ministry until the day he left this earth in a fiery chariot.  Naomi coached Ruth in finding a good man, then helped care for their child.  King David had the vision to build a temple for God.  But God told him that it would be his son who would accomplish this dream.  Instead of whining, David did all he could to help his son be successful.  He prepared materials, as well as skilled craftsmen capable of turning the materials into a fine building.  Then he prepared for worship in the temple by calling and organizing the priests who were assigned jobs in the temple that was to be.

“David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death . . . “Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success as you follow his directions in building the Temple of the Lord your God.  And may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel. For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!

 “I have worked hard to provide materials for building the Temple of the Lord…You have a large number of skilled stonemasons and carpenters and craftsmen of every kind. You have expert goldsmiths and silversmiths and workers of bronze and iron. Now begin the work, and may the Lord be with you!”  1 Chronicles 22:5, 11-16

“When David was an old man, he appointed his son Solomon to be king over Israel.  David summoned all the leaders of Israel, together with the priests and Levites. . .”  1 Chronicles 23:1-2

The examples of these heroes of the faith show us that no matter how old we are, we can still be:
Faithful
Obedient
Brave

Are we faithfully reading God’s Word and praying?   Are we obediently serving others?  Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and bravely try whatever God asks us to?  Being older doesn’t give us a free pass to do what we want.  God knows we’re happiest when we’re living in faith being bravely obedient to him by serving others.  Our purpose doesn’t end when we retire!

“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”  Psalm 92:14