I found myself asking a question tonight that may, at first glance, seem harsh and not at all Christ-like. The question is as follows:
What is the worth/benefit of the ‘Senior Saint?’
Or, to state it a little more bluntly:
What do ‘Old People’ have to offer?
As I stated before, this does seem a tab bit harsh and unloving. So, before all of you who never respond to any of my posts decide to respond all at once to my errant attitude, allow me chance to expound on my question.
Though it would seem as such, this question does not come out of a desire to rid the Church of all members 55 and older. I do not wish any ill will and I hold no malicious feelings toward the older crowd. Quite the contrary in fact! The question asked flows from a heart that is burdened and desires to know and understand the past generation of Christian Brothers and Sisters.
Needless to say, the differences between the Generations in Christian Culture can be astounding. Though sometimes the distance between the Generational Gap seems contrived, all too often the Christian stereo-types are true to form.
We all know what these stereo-types are when it comes to the Church. You have those who value History and Tradition and desire to stay the same on one side of the equation and you have those who cannot seem to help but change and re-evaluate on the other side. You have the ‘way things were’ and you have ‘the way things could be.’
Along with these opposed viewpoints comes tension. Tension, without staunch determination for unity, often brings division. Division is soon followed by hindered ministry.
Perhaps it is where I am at in life. I look around the Church and I see within the Twenty-Something crowd (and younger) potential. I see the countless possibilities for ministry and Spiritual victories. I see God’s Truth and Gospel being spread to the endless corners of this globe and a multitude of tribes, nations, and people being redeemed by God’s Lamb. I understand this group. I see the benefit. I can grasp the worth.
My eyes then fall on the elderly. Weak, hobbled, frail. What could have been seems to be years in their past. The potential that once was there – dwindled. Where is that benefit? What do they have left to offer?
At this point, the discussion turns to Biblical passages that deal with the Body of Christ; each part of the Body with its purpose, each part with a special use (Romans 12: 3-8; I Corinthians 12:14-26). I understand that Truth and can see the practical out-workings of that Truth in my generation, but does this mean that the Elderly are regulated to their respective prayer closets? Doubtful!
Yet, somewhere something got lost. That something, in the midst of the Generational Tension, would appear to be the answer. What is missing? Understanding of each other (young and old) and a deep understanding of God’s Truth.
Thus, we have come full circle and the question that was asked at the beginning needs to be answered:
What do ‘Old People’ have to offer?
Faithfulness is not the path to Biblical Success…
Faithfulness IS Biblical Success.
(Pastor Tim Jordan; 6/28/2009)
It was encouraging to hear the Pastor of the Church last night stand up and level with the Congregation. His message was a structured Testimony with a point and by the time he reached the end, the point was quite sharp.
This was not the first time in the past month that this sort of concept has come up. Along with my personal musing, the idea of Faithfulness was also the topic of a Wednesday Night Bible Study.
The head of the study asked the question – What does the life of faith [faithful life] look like?
When most of us hear this question we think of fruit, blessing, and success in some form as a reward for or as a sign of Faithfulness. Likewise, we have the tendency to view the opposite of all of these as signs of Unfaithfulness.
The Study on Wednesday Night focused in on Hebrews 11:32-38.
Looking at the first have of the passage (v. 32-35a) we see that through faith…
“…conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.”
This would seem to be the true marks of Faithfulness. You have great deeds accomplished by and for Men and Women of Faith. Blessing, Fruit, Success!
Yet, you read on in the passage (v. 35b-39) to see that some through faith…
“…Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised…”
Were it not for the inclusion of this section with the previous and the ending statement of the Author (not to mention a basic understanding of Christian History) we would be tempted to see this section as the outcome of sinful choices, disobedience, or straying.
At least, that is how we typically view bad outcomes and circumstances with our modern minds.
I have fallen prey time and time again to the errant concept that good life, good actions leads to comfortable and enjoyable circumstances. I follow the incorrect assumption that a Faithful life leads to “perfect” life. I use Faithfulness to fulfill my fleshly desire for comfort over God’s commendation for pleasing Him by submitting to His Will and Plan.
What I so often miss throughout all of this is - comfort does not compare with the satisfaction of knowing that faithfulness pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). With that in mind, the temporary discomforts and anxiety give way to peace and joy. The fears and sleepless nights give way to rest and comfort. It honestly is amazing how that works.
So… I will continue to “chew” on these thoughts. I will continue to strive to be Faithful. Though failures will come and situations may arise, may my God in the end say:
“Well Done… My good and Faithful Servant…”
Things are Changing… Not only around me as we are getting ready to have a Baby… But inside as I look around and see situations over which I have no control.
To say that I have been unaffected would be far from the truth. To say that I have responded correctly throughout would be far fetched. There has been tears, frustration, impatience, questions. There has been countless hours spent wondering “why” and “how.”
And throughout all of this - God knows. He is not removed from trials and struggles, but He is there with me throughout. He has Compassion, Sympathy… Empathy as He, in the form of Jesus, has experienced similar and far more. He, as my Creator, remembers my frame and knows that I am dust.
The issue, that has become perfectly clear, is not that God has forgotten or does not understand, but that I do not remember God. Those Characteristics listed… they often slip from my memory. His promises for His Children are so easily forgotten by my frail mind. The grace He gives each day and the Mercy He shows each morning remains neglected.
God is still God. It is “I” that change and forget.
My wife and I attended a Potluck with our Sunday School class at Church almost three weeks ago. Now, while most people go to a Sunday School class with those who are the same age or those who are in the same stage of life, we attend a Sunday School class with those who are 2 to 3 times our age and who are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to the stage of life. Every week we hear the prayer requests for back aches and knee problems, aging children and sick grandchildren, and the deaths of dear friends and family. Needless to say, at times it can be somewhat discouraging, yet we continue to go.
While at the Potluck I got into a conversation with a retired Engineer who just completed Seminary and was planning to go to South Africa to assist a Missionary. Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen health issues with his wife, they will no longer be able to go. While recounting the story of all that transpired he stopped and made a comment,
“Young guys are always ready to go and do something, but as you get older you are more… more… visionary.”
A simple comment that stuck.
Is this why Senior Saints are usually the Prayer Warriors? They have already seen the futility of going and doing and realize that God is the one who does it. They have a better concept of what needs to be done, what is important as opposed to what is a peripheral issue. They have seen God work and they want to see it again.
The comment at the Potluck by the retired Engineer was followed up with comments about praying for the work and future opportunities. It seemed that, though he was disappointed, he could see what God was doing and saw the part he could have in it. Behind the misty, aged eyes a glimmer of hope as if he could see clearly all the things that are a blur to me as I try to rush around and do.
Right now… I am not really doing anything.
For the first Time in my life, outside of required reading for School, I am reading multiple books at one time. I have my book that I read in downtime at home (The Reasons for God), the Multiple E-books that I am slogging through at Work (Amazing Grace of William Wilberforce, The Hidden Smile of God), and the book that Amber and I are beginning to read together (Heaven). Although I thought doing this for pleasure would be un-fulfilling, I am finding that having Multiple Books going at once is actually enjoyable.
So, here comes one of the many quotes that I highlight and make note of while I read. This comes from The Hidden Smile of God that is a compilation of three different Biographies about people who lived lives of Suffering and Hardship and glorified God throughout. John Piper says this considering the examples of David Brainerd, John Bunyan, and William Cowper:
“For nothing glorifies God more than maintaining our stability and joy when we lose everything but God. That day is coming for each of us, and we do well to get ready, and to help the people we love get ready.”
(John Piper, pg. 46)
Filed under: General, Personal Lessons..., Prayer..., Reflections..., The Walk...
Psalm 37:25 & 26 –
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing
“One moment’s believing, close contact with the cross will do more to break the heart for sin, deepen the conviction of its exceeding sinfulness, and disenthrall the soul from all its bondage and its fears, bringing it into a sense of pardon and acceptance and assured hope, than a lifetime of the most rigid legal duties that ever riveted their iron chain upon the soul.”
—Octavius Winslow, The Foot of the Cross
Filed under: General, Personal Lessons..., Prayer..., Reflections..., The Walk...
This Morning was the first Morning since December 31st that I drove my Truck to work. For the past month my truck has been parked unable to be driven in the parking lot of our Apartment with brake issues. Well, as of last night, the issue has been resolved along with a Battery issue that came about from lack of use.
So, on my way to work this Morning I was reflecting on the present condition of my Truck with great amounts of Thankfulness to God. Sure, it is old and rusted, has over 215 thousand miles, probably won’t last much longer, and is a money pit at times, but I have a vehicle that gets me where I am going and allows me to work.
It wasn’t long til the Old Hymn entered my mind – “Count Your Blessings.” So, that is what I intend to do:
- I have been Saved by Jesus and Forgiven!
- I have a Lovely Wife who is a constant source of Encouragement. She loves God and desires to Grow in His Grace while showing His Love.
- We are expecting a Baby in July. This, in and of itself, is a blessing beyond Belief. A Gift from our Father’s Hand!
- God has provided me a job in order to Fulfill His command to Provide (I love how that works).
- We have an apartment that fits our needs and keeps us warm… and a place to go when our lease is up. Both have been specific answers to Prayer.
- I have a Loving and Supportive Family on both sides. Both my own and my wife’s family are a Blessing.
- I have Peace, Hope, and Joy due to my relationship to the Heavenly Father and a future that is secure.
- I have Amazing Friends… and though I am not with them and don’t get to see them often, I Praise God for their Friendship and time spent with them.
- ETC., ETC., ETC.
- Oh yeah… and my Truck Runs!
“9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
( 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV)
Prior to Christ, the people in Corinth were involved in a Culture that would rival the most Debase Big city in our Society. Vice and Debauchery lived in the city, filtered in through the port, and traveled to the city to fulfill lusts and live a life entangled with sin.
This was before a man named Paul showed up on the scene. Paul arrives in the city, against the Culture carrying with him the name of Christ. This light, carrying the “Light of the World,” exposed the heats of the People of Corinth and allowed them to see them selves like never before. The sight was shocking and heart wrenching. Christ was what they were ultimately seeking, Christ was the answer, Christ was what they longed for. After meeting Christ, lives changed. The people were not the same, nor were their joys and pleasures. Meeting Christ made the difference.
Paul, addressing issues in the Corinth church, goes through a list of sinful persuasions and issues confirming that those who stay in these would not be in the Kingdom. Paul finishes by saying “…and such were some of you” contrasting the lives of the people with the list of sins. They had, by God’s Grace and the Sacrifice of Christ, gone from the depths of depravity to the inheriting the heights of Glory. Lives changed as well as future.
So, upon meeting Christ, what has changed? Has our lives truly been changed? Can there be a contrast? A Before and After Snap Shot? Just think about it… how has Christ changed you?
