Are
you a retired Christian?
If
so, this message is for YOU!
Retirement,
American -Style
According
to an article in USNews.com, "Retirement can be a difficult
transition. Retirement can be a diffilcult transition if
you are not prepared for it. Many people who were near retirement age
were forced to retire during the recent downturn. The loss of income
coupled with the large losses in their retirement account caused a
lot of heartburn. In this case, it is more conservative to take up
part-time work to bring in some extra income. Even a little income
will greatly reduce the withdrawal rate from your retirement
accounts. If a retiree had been forced to withdraw from his or her
retirement account during the recent downturn, that portion of the
retirement fund would have missed out on the recovery. Taking up a
part-time job or freelance work could help delay the withdrawal until
the stock market recovers."
As
one who does a great deal of ministry in nursing homes, I can attest,
many individuals seem to be, literally, "put out to pasture,”
the next big event many are looking forward to being their own
funeral. That's sad. It does NOT have to be that way.
My
neighbor is well into his 80's. Every summer, for three months, he
and his wife in her late 70's, head to Colorado to clear hiking
trails at national parks. Until this year, they'd always camped
outside the whole time. This year, they used a camping trailer.
What
sissies, huh?
As
Followers of Jesus, I don't believe we should EVER embrace a
retirement mindset. All we have to do is examine the Scriptures and
we will see there are NO BIBLICAL EXAMPLES of anyone retiring. In
ministry, I don't see myself EVER retiring - not when there's a
Kingdom to advance and so many hurting souls to touch. If those who
are “in the Light” retire to a life of non-productivity, the
ever-darkening world will grow even dimmer than it is.
"They
shall still bear fruit in old age,” (Ps 92:12-15)
A
goal for many people in life is a restful, well-earned retirement.
Sleeping late, doing whatever, whenever. Some folks spend years
saving and planning for the time in which they retire. They look
forward to the free time to do whatever interests them and checking
off the proverbial "Bucket List."
In
light of my many experiences with elderly Saints, I think it's wise
to examine the concept of "retirement" and ask ourselves if
it's even applicable to the Kingdom of God?
Frankly,
I think it's a mistake for a Follower of Jesus - of any
age - to EVER attempt to get comfortable while we're walking this
planet. We aren't from around here; we don't belong. We are aliens;
sojourners. We're citizens of Heaven, just passin' through.
We
may retire from our jobs, what about our service in the church?
Granted, physical infirmities may sometimes be a hindrance, but is
such a valid reason for retiring from our Kingdom purpose?
I
am only 52 at this writing, however, I DO know what it's like to
experience physical limitations. In my late 20s and my 30s, I
suffered terribly from an “incurable” spinal disease from which
Jesus healed me. I was 50 lbs. heavier than I am today, always in
pain with a low-grade fever, and I walked with a cane. I also “slept”
sitting up in my living room recliner. During that time, I felt
illegitimate. I was useless. I'd been very active in my church and
was always able to do things I wanted. Suddenly, all my energy was
being used on things like washing clothes and getting my mail. I
finally decided, since the devil was going to torment me all night
and keep me in so much pain I couldn't sleep, I was going to
intercede for people and situations I heard about. One of these was
the fall of the Iron Curtain. Imagine my thrill when itactually came
down! Point is, though Satan had planned to bring me down, God used
that experience to train me to pray and showed me the power thereof,
experientially.
I
recall, many years ago, a man named Bob who was in his late 70's when
we met. He was in a wheelchair but would spend his evenings randomly
calling people from the phone book, introducing himself and asking if
he could pray for them. That guy had a million wonderful testimonies.
What an inspiration! He could have sat around watching TV but he
CHOSE to serve his King instead. I used to do that same sort of
ministry myself and, yes, I have amazing testimonies, too. Try it!
In
Psalms 92:12-15, we find a description of the righteous in which they
are described as palm trees and cedar trees flourishing in the house
and courts of God. Note in particular verse
14: "They
shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and
flourishing."
Does
this passage describe many elderly people you know? This verse
certainly suggests there is a place of service for the elderly in
work of God. They are able to "bear
fruit" and remain"fresh
and flourishing", despite their old
age.
Let's name names!
That
God can and does use the elderly should be rather apparent,
especially when we consider His use of older people in Scripture.
For
starters, there's Moses and Aaron, men chosen
to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage at the ages of 80 and
83 (Ex 7:7) when they were already past the normal life span,
according to Psalms 90:10 which Moses wrote.
Then,
there's Joshua and Caleb.
Joshua
was given the charge of leading the conquest of Canaan,during the
last thirty years of his life. Incidentally, he lived until he was
110,(Josh 24:29). Caleb, too, was very much involved in the
conquest, and he was in his eighties, (Josh 14:6-11)
Then,
there was Daniel, who served
God from the days of his youth, for over 70 years, (Dan 1:21). He was
well over eighty when he served as one of three governors over the
kingdom of Babylon, (Dan 6:1-3), was thrown into the lions' den, (Dan
6:4-27), prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian,
(Dan 6:28) and received a series of visions,
(Dan 8-12).
Zacharius
and Elizabeth were an old couple who produced a child, John
the
Baptist, when they were “both well advanced in years," (Lk
1:7). Yet,
he was serving in the temple, and she gave birth to John.
Simeon
and Anna were two elderly people who bore witness to the Christ child
when presented to the temple to be circumcised, (Lk 2:25-38).
Anna
herself was at least 84, and had been serving God "with
fastings and prayers night and day" most of her life.
“Paul,
the aged” is how the apostle Paul refers to himself in Philemon 9.
Yet, we know at this point in his life, he was busy writing what
would become a major part of what we refer to as the New Testament,
even while in prison. He was traveling, visiting, encouraging
churches, being stoned and beaten, evn when he was released from
prison.
There
are many other examples of how God used those in their "golden
years" to serve Him. Do you see why they're considered “golden”?
These examples certainly illustrate how the elderly can "still
bear fruit in old age".
What
about today?
Let's
consider God's use of older people in The Church today.
Didn't
God not design the local church to be overseen by “elders” (Acts
14:23; Titus 1:5-9)? Now, I realize not all "elders" are old people. In fact, Paul told Timothy - himself an elder - to "despise not your youth." A spiritual elder need not be elderly, but mature in the things of God. Nevertheless, in most instances, with age comes wisdom and experience and, typically, elders are older, considered to be people capable of teaching and leading the flock, who were to serve as
overseers and examples of God's flock? (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Wonder
why so many older people – even ministers - seem to retire from
active service in the church, around age 65, which is rather young
compared to the examples we saw!
If
they don't feel qualified to serve, why not spend a few years growing
and developing the necessary qualifications (if possible),and then
serve? They certainly have the time! The average age of seminarians
these days is, actually, getting older. Unfortunately, there simply
are less and less people attending. Many who want to enter ministry
prepare themselves in just a couple of years. Why can't older folks
do the same?
I
can't say enough about the need for older Christian women to rise up
in the Church! In
Titus 2:3-5, Paul commanded older women to be "teachers
of good things,"
especially to teach the younger women how to love their husbands,
love their children, be good wives and homemakers. Sadly, many women
stop teaching when they reach the age where they should be teaching!
To
those who don't feel qualified to teach, again, prepare yourself! The
call to serve God is actually a call to PREPARE.Commit yourselves to
study and learning God's word, and in a short time you, will be more
than prepared. Combine that with your years of experience raising
kids, handling finances, running businesses, gardening , sowing,
etc., and you could be a Satan's worst nightmare!
Additional
services you can provide
Hospitality
and benevolence: many
elderly are financially secure, able to do what many younger families
cannot.
Edification
and evangelism: with
so much time on their hands, why not use it to study with others?
Even the most handicapped can do things like send cards, make phone
calls, spend time in prayer and fasting (Lk 2:37; 1 Tim 5:5).
I
read about an invalid in Soviet Russia who spent her days translating
Billy Graham's books into Russian, slowly pecking on a manual
typewriter under her blankets. She was ignored by the KGB because she
was crippled, yet, she was their worst enemy. She died when her
mission was completed.
What
else does Scripture admonish the elderly to do?
"To
declare the that the Lord is upright; He is my rock,and there is no
unrighteousness in Him,"(Psalms 92:15)
“To
proclaim God's strength to the next generation,” (Psalms 71:17-18)
“To
recount God's mighty works to the next generation,” (Psalms
78:1-8).
WHAT
ABOUT YOU?
God
desires to use people of all ages who are willing to prepare
themselves to
be of service to Him and who are willing to present
themselves
in service to Him. Just
be available!
We
may retire from secular jobs, but not from our service to the Lord!
Certainly physical infirmities may limit what we can do, but only
death can stop us from doing what we can!
Is
the problem really one of physical infirmities, or spiritual
laziness? Folks, we can't stop the aging process but we can be
renewed inwardly daily! (2 Cor 4:16)
Though
our youth-oriented culture may not seem to appreciate the wisdom and
experience of the elderly and our society is too quick to put the
elderly "out to pasture,” I contend God – who looks ONLy at
the heart – sees the older Saints as a mighty army on bivouac,
awaiting its marching orders. If that's you,m this message is the
directive you've been waiting for.
It's
YOUR move!
I
believe the righteous can and should "still
bear fruit in old age".
I hope this lesson will encourage the elderly to re-examine their
usefulness to the Lord and His church.
Let
the attitude of "Paul,
the aged"
be your attitude as well.
If
you would like to facilitate a 7-week Bible Study in a Nursing Home
in your community, send me an eMail with the word “OLD” in your
Subject Bar and I'll walk you through the steps I took, personally,
to do that in four Nursing Homes in my area so far. Write
miketummillo@me.com and
leave your name and phone number.
Every
blessing,
Michael
Tummillo
Founder,
The Church @ Work
