Did the title of this page get your
attention? I hope so. That is why I put it there. I want everyone,
especially the young, to read this article because the sentiment
expressed above is what our society in general thinks. You don't think
that is the case? Ask Don Shula.
The winningest coach is NFL history
"retired" the day after his 66th birthday. Yes, he was given the option
to retire rather than being fired so he could at least maintain some
sense of dignity. After devoting most of his life to football, because
he was aging, it was said of him "the game had passed him by" and "we
need an infusion of youth into this organization." He is not the first
one to be adversely affected by aging. I doubt he will be the last.
One of the greatest horrors in our
society is to grow old. In our youth-oriented culture it is
embarrassing, if not downright shameful, to be old. Such an emphasis on
youth causes people to spend millions of dollars to retain their
youthful appearance and to buy into such philosophies as "You're only as
old as you feel," hoping that others will think they are young.
Corporations, with no compassion for the individual, no sense of loyalty
for years of dedicated service, and no appreciation for experience,
permanently lay off older workers and replace them with younger ones who
will cost them a lot less.
I am saddened when I see this attitude
in the world. I am horrified when I see it in the church in some places.
Sometimes, instead of being utilized for their knowledge and experience,
those who are older are looked upon as being out of date and not useful
to the Lord's work. Sometimes preachers, as they age, find it difficult
to locate with a congregation because the people want someone who "can
relate to the young people."
How different this attitude is from
what God would have it to be.
Psalm 92:12-15
states, "The
righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: He shall grow like a cedar
in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of Jehovah; They shall
flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in
old age; They shall be full of sap and green: To show that Jehovah is
upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."
God, in His wisdom, knew that age was
necessary to be that full, mature individual who could properly serve as
an overseer in the local church.
1 Timothy 3:6
states that one who would serve in that capacity must be "not a novice."
Titus 1:6
says he must be old enough to have
"believing
children." Also, one designation
of his office is "elder" (Phil.
1:1), implying age. God has also
seen the usefulness of
"older women"
-- they are to instruct the
younger women (Titus
2:3-5).
The Lord realized that age was needed
for one to be wise enough to effectively lead His people. Wisdom, based
on knowledge and experience, is a vital asset for good leadership. While
those who are young may possess great knowledge, they do not have
sufficient experience to make them wise.
One of the greatest resources our
country and the church have is older people. They are useful and
necessary and ought to be appreciated. May we always show them proper
respect. May we utilize them for their wisdom. And may they have the
same sentiment expressed by the Psalmist in
Psalm 71:18:
"Yea, even
when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have
declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one
that is to come."
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