My brothers and sisters, there is much in the news recently about mandatory age restrictions and political term limits. The discussion is needed and important; however, there is a risk if decisions in these matters are made too hastily or from a selfish perspective!
As I’ve expressed to FGGAM’s founder and pastor, Dewey Moede, this writer has supported term limits in politics for as long as I can remember, and not necessarily because of a person’s age.
Life-long political appointments are in-and-of-themselves a temptation to either become stale, tone-deaf or dictatorial because of the degree of power associated with high-level, elected positions.
It’s distressing to see on social media so many (presumably younger) folks asserting the need for arbitrarily-established age limits when they don’t yet truly understand that with age comes wisdom (generally and hopefully), that “new” or “different” isn’t necessarily better, that some things are only (or best) learned with time, and that just as in higher education, workplaces, sports, music, politics, etc., merit should determine (or at least have a lot to do with) determining a person’s selection or continuance in a position.
It should be common sense, common courtesy and a demonstration of humility and self-awareness to step down and give room for someone else when our competency (mentally or physically) negatively impacts our ability to perform successfully or safely.
A biblically-focused leadership model would be to support, train and encourage others to move forward in life, with our ceilings becoming their floors (so to speak) – to the betterment of all; however, arbitrary age determinations are simply that; arbitrary. When I was in the military, the motto I recall being often stated was: “if you take care of the troops, the troops will take care of you.”
We should be more concerned with being led by the Holy Spirit about our life decisions, and all the more so when it becomes clear that wisdom is to approach another person about moving aside or retiring when that person has lost focus and the ability to recognize this on his or her own. This is love, not hate!
The wisdom of the world (which I would often or generally equate with the enforcement of purely arbitrary age restrictions) is not the wisdom of God. We should seek His wisdom in all things and live accordingly.
I’m a bit tired of hearing views reflecting a strong belief that all things in life are somehow mutually exclusive. They are not. Many things in our lives are the result of overlapping and conditionally-based actions, not simply “this always results in that” or when words like “never” or “always” are watchwords often spoken and tend to guide us in our lives.
That said, our God is a God for whom all things are possible and who never changes – as He is perfect and all-knowing! I tend to prefer things to be just, not fair (avoiding the lowest common denominator issue), except in the case of my salvation. I’m so very thankful to Jesus that I don’t have to suffer what I deserve!
Our society needs strong, powerful, experienced, confident, competent and respected leaders, political or otherwise, with the wisdom to know when it’s time to move on. We don’t need hard-and-fast, arbitrary age restrictions.
It should be a matter of common sense that a 90-year-old might not be the best or safest fighter jet pilot; however, I’m confident that a 90-year-old Billy Graham was imparting incredible wisdom continuing to save souls – even from his deathbed – more effectively than most younger persons.
All I can say is that we should seek the Lord and walk humbly before our God. Let’s respect all, and for sure our elders, as we walk peaceably and in love – even when such love requires the delivery of unwanted news or guidance.
Some scripture to consider:
1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (NKJV)
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”
Romans 8:16 (NKJV)
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…”.
Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV)
“Wisdom is the principal thing; [t]herefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
1 Corinthians 3:19 (NKJV)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness…'”.
Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, [b]ut the companion of fools will be destroyed.”
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Praise Jesus forevermore!