Romans 4:19-21 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
It’s sad that in our culture we focus on the limitations, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities of age rather than the strengths of maturity, wisdom and experience that it brings. Young people will often choose to learn from their peers rather than some “ancient” person. When my children were young and we decided to homeschool them, people would share their concern that our children would not have the necessary socialization skills if they did not have much contact with other children. I often would tell those people that I did not want my children learning their relational skills from peers who don’t know any more than they about life. I know I was a little harsh back then. I have mellowed, but I still believe that we need to receive training from those whose knowledge, wisdom and skills reveal that they know enough to be worthy of imitation.
Abraham’s story doesn’t begin until later in life. He had left Ur of the Chaldees and the idolatry of that culture and his family. He and his family were heading to Canaan but got waylayed in Haran. They settled there until Terah, his father, died and God calls Abram again at age 75 to leave for Canaan. His story of faith and all that we know about him doesn’t occur until after he had reached the age of 75. You might say that all of his major life accomplishments happened in the last 100 years of his life (he lived to be 175 years old). With all the limitations, difficulties, and infirmities associated with age, and those of us who are experiencing them are all too aware of them, there are also many opportunities to leverage our wisdom, skills and experience to serve others effectively in the twilight years.
Consider Mary Quackenbush. She “refused to allow her advancing years to slow her down to a life of respectable ease. After renewing her faith-commitment at age seventy-five, she started out on a twelve-year effort for Christ, becoming a well-loved spiritual mother to a whole congregation. She packed each week full of service by counting the church offerings on Monday, leading a Bible study for women in her home on Tuesday, calling on lonely hospitalized people all day Wednesday, heading a visitation team on Thursday evenings and teaching a Bible class for preteen girls on Sunday mornings. She added vigor and joy to her years by serving others” (Neil B. Wiseman, Growing Your Soul).
I have noticed that those who pour themselves into service for others have little time to feel lonely, to feel sorry for themselves, to dwell on the infirmities and difficulties of life. They have a higher quality of life. Maybe the best thing that the aged can offer to younger people is the experiences of a faith-filled walk with Christ. The testimonies we can share about God’s faithfulness, lovingkindness, and provision we have experienced can be great encouragement to those who are in the middle of learning these things. Age doesn’t have to be the detriment we make it seem, if we refuse to give up and continue to persevere until the end. And the end of earthly existence is coming for us all. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Or, “So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.” (Psalm 90:12, New English Translation)
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