You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts. Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come. — Psalm 71:17-18
You may want to begin this devotional with the following readings (Psalm 92:12-15 and Isaiah 46:4). God has a way of emphasizing a truth more than once so that we’ll remember!
Dr. David Jeremiah, in his article, “Still Making A Difference, Living A Life Well Preserved,” makes this provocative and challenging statement: “This is the joy of living a life well-preserved. If you’re here, God has something for you to do. He will give you the strength to do it. You should be committed to sharing the Light right where you are. And if the Lord tarries, there are ways to preserve your influence into the next generation. He will help you to make a difference.”
This is written to every age but in particular to my generation. We are known as “retired,” a designation our Western culture invented and has become enamored with (church included). I “retired” the first time at age 62. My idea was to see if God would allow me to do something else, and He did. Twelve years later, I “retired” again as a Senior Pastor of a growing and exciting Spirit-filled church.
During that time I also found out something I didn’t realize—that with God there’s no such thing as “retirement.” In fact, I searched and I couldn’t find a single retirement story, as we define the term, in the whole Book we believe in. So now what was I supposed to do?
Well, The writer to the Hebrews cheers us on, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). That’s what I was supposed to do!
But what about if your health is failing? You can serve God right where you are. My 82-year old friend Bob Shero did just that after his health forced him to “retire.” He found himself in a wheel chair most of the time with limited mobility but rather than quit the race, he became a prayer intercessor—par excellence. Bob has since gone to be with the Lord, but in our last conversation he insisted that I join him in three urgent prayer requests among the three hundred for which he had been praying!
Unfortunately, however, some other older friends I know appear to have quit running. With all due respect, I must remind them that the race is not over until it’s over—and God has a way of letting us know when that is. He takes us to heaven. In the book illustration above, “If You’re Not Dead—You’re Not Done!” author James N. Watkins so beautifully encourages us to live that truth out. By the way, the illustrator for the book is 86 (my age)!
So, my dear older friends, I want you to know that there are literally hundreds of Christian organizations today that could use your wisdom, experience, talent—and yes, your checkbook—as they bring glory and honor to God through local ministries and those that reach around the world. Your local church is a great place to start. God’s gifts to you don’t run out with your age and He will use what He has given you to help others.
Regardless of our age, we can impact the world. We do it by setting a Christ-centered example for others as God provides what we need. May He shape our lives with the gospel, so no matter where we are on the timeline, we’ll be worthy to share it with others. Maranatha!
“Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
— Isaiah 46:4
To help us walk closer with God and to know Him better
