“The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.” ― Proverbs 20:29
Have you ever heard that people, like fine wine, mellow with age? Well, that theory―about wine, at least―was put to the test in Strasbourg, France, when officials sniffed and tasted what’s reported to be the world’s oldest wine in a barrel. It’s a barrel of white wine that’s been aging for more than 500 years. The 1472 vintage wine has an alcohol content of 9.4 percent, and to offset evaporation, one bottle of dry white wine is added to the barrel four times per year. But make no mistake: In spite of evaporation, the composition of the wine confirms it’s a 1472 vintage. And it’s worth noting that, at least for this barrel, the wine didn’t mellow with age at all. In fact, it has become highly acidic. Let’s hope the same can’t be said about us as we get older.
Gray hair or sometimes no hair is a sign of aging but is it a sign of “Aging Gracefully,” that is, always being “full of grace,” as we grow older? I don’t know about you, but I have to be careful as I grow older. I have to really guard against that tendency at my age to become a cranky, crotchety old complainer and insensitive to those around me, especially younger people. How about you? The scripture from Proverbs says something about that.
Proverbs tell us that there is a “splendor” to gray hair, which really refers to a quality which should be in older people. Gray hair reflects aging in most cases, and aging should resonate experience and knowledge, wisdom and understanding and a steadiness and calmness of spirit—and maturity.
The apostle Paul had a lot to say in regard to older people. The best known verses are taken from his letter to Timothy and give us great insight as to God’s goal for us as age comes our way. In 1 Timothy 2:2 he writes, “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” Now that’s a high calling, but not to be outdone, he also gave instructions in regard to older women. In 1 Timothy 2:3 he continues, “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.”
Take note of all those aging virtues: temperate (which means moderate), respected, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and endurance, a reverent lifestyle, addiction free and teachers of good. Well, old folks, how are you doing? Maranatha!
Pastor Don
