Dear CCW family,
My beloved father-in-law had a curious habit of turning off his car engine to coast into his garage. I was always amused by this unique practice. Maybe it was done to save gas (they were a frugal couple) or, more likely, to keep fumes out of the garage, or perhaps just to humor his son-in-law. But it made an impression.
Now that I’m clicking off more years (just like you, by the way), I can imagine why some people think coasting the rest of the way in is a well-deserved reward. But . . . banish the thought!!!
Rather, post this in your mind: God uses older people. Take Caleb who fought giants as an octogenarian, or Moses, who led a cantankerous people up to the promised land from 80 to 120. Remember Anna, the 84 year-old widow, who served God with prayers and fasting at the temple in Jerusalem. God delights in using older people because it makes clear that the power for living and doing the will of God isn’t found in mere human capacity, but in God Himself. Is it possible that God could use you even more in your latter years than in the earlier ones? There is nothing to say otherwise, as far as God is concerned. You don’t want to tell God one day that a little tiredness and a few aches and pains stopped you from your greatest usefulness for him, do you? Remember, most of the good things are done by tired people.
Suggestions:
- Learn the Bible as well as possible. When you come to the latter years, you are supposed to be wise. Now, please tell me, how can you be wise without thinking God’s thoughts? Those thoughts become yours by meditating on the Bible. Be rigorous about that. You should have as much in your mental pouch for difficult days as possible. Don’t wait.
- Clear your conscience. Do you harbor unresolved hurts or unfulfilled promises. Nothing makes you cranky like lingering bitterness, or depressed like not doing what you promised. Cain is an illustration how bad this can be. His hidden bitterness caused his countenance to fall and led to murder. Fulfill your promises, call the family in and admit your failures, repay what was stolen, ask forgiveness for your attitudes and actions, settle accounts with your associates, your family, your church. Make a list and humbly get it done by the strength God supplies. Christ has forgiven you of your sins if you are His, now you must forgive, deal with unresolved sins, and make restitution if appropriate. Jesus said, “If you do not forgive others, neither will the Father forgive your trespasses” (Mt. 6:15).
- Put love first. Believers are loving people on their way to an inheritance of love. Show it. Love is the mark of maturity, the royal law, the perfect bond of unity. It is above all, and is the law of Christ. The older I get the more I realize that everything can be summarized in the word “love.” Loving God and loving others is the will of God for you. You should be better at it as you get older. It’s your full time occupation, and it might be all you can do later. But you must begin demonstrating more of that love now. Aren’t you glad God didn’t only love in his thoughts. No, he “demonstrated his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Love is to be lived. Be the most loving person you could possibly be, beginning right now.
- Be a giver. There is little so joyful and helpful as giving. It is just like God who “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (Jn. 3:16). Giving is satisfying in ways that hoarders never will experience. I once knew a woman who could not let you leave her house without giving you something. Once, looking all around for some item to put in our hands, she was only able to find a simple can opener. But we prized it because it came from her heart. Who would not want to be around people like her? But she was the true recipient, enjoying God’s favor. Be open-handed. You will never get rid of all that stuff you own unless you get started giving now. All of us can do this.
- Don’t stop serving. One of the most often heard phrases in the church is “I feel I ought to let the younger people do it.” It is true that older people might find it wise to shift their focus or to take a different role in their service to the people of God, but that is a very different thing than quitting. Be gracious when the leaders suggest that you step down from a ministry, and don’t take it personally. They are doing the best they can to figure out how to use people the right way. Rather, do something else that is fitting your stage in life and do it with all your heart. For instance, consider sowing gospel seed everywhere you go. Stay prepared by keeping some gospel literature on hand and speak sincerely to others you encounter. Or, write old-fashioned handwritten notes to encourage. This is a lost art, and appreciated. Why not invite people into your home or apartment for tea and Bible reading? You can read a passage two or three times aloud and talk together about what God shows you. Or, keep a prayer list and actually pray for people. Ask for specific needs and get with this important work that God loves. Every leader in your church will be thankful for these actions and who knows what good can be done? God’s people don’t retire from serving others. Also, don’t wait for someone to give you a title!
- Be an example of faithfulness. Loyalty to church and to friends is in short supply. You can rectify that. Be as faithful to the gatherings and activities of the church as is physically possible. If you cannot drive, don’t feel badly about asking someone to pick you up. You can help cover gasoline costs, or take them out to eat at times to show your gratefulness. Be there even in the evening when most old folks sink into their easy chairs. What better place is there to be than in the fellowship of other believers? It will cheer your spirits, while slouching in the recliner will depress you. Teach the younger ones that they should pay any price to be with other believers. Take a short “power nap” before you leave, and you’ll be in top form.
Well, there is a start at being a great old person. I hope you will do this and more. If you’ve been grinding to a standstill in your love for others and in your service for God, it’s not too late to repent and get with it. Please, please, don’t coast the rest of the way in. We need everyone to keep on until the garage door is closed. Heaven and the new earth will be rest enough.
With joy,
Jim Elliff, Steve Burchett, Marco Scouvert