Did you know that about 10,000 people per day will be retiring during the next ten years? That's a lot of older folks beginning the final third of their lives. Some of the needs of older folks are unique to them while other issues are just human life issues. In the Bible there are stories of men growing older and sometimes behaving badly. Sometimes they just fade away with maybe one last gasp at the end of their lives trying to influence the next generation. I wonder if their lives would have ended better if there had been ministry to them as they grew old in God?
Life is full of change and adjustments. Life must be lived to the end. But must we rely on the world for guidance on negotiating the final few years of our lives? The Prescott church brought on staff someone whose job it is to minister to the aged saints there. Ministry to the elderly is needed across our Fellowship as we age far beyond the zeal of youth.
Did you know that many retirees suffer the loss of many things in retirement? The loss of routine, the loss of identity, the loss of relationships, the loss of purpose, and even the loss of power. Relationships are the key to a happy, well balanced life. But what to do when your spouse dies or your closest friends die or move away? What about divorce or physical and mental decline?
Applying ministry that only serves the youth and new converts leaves a lot of us pining for the days when we were young and full of enthusiasm. We seem to be ignored or invisible and irrelevant. I wonder how many seasoned saints in our churches feel lonely and hopeless?
The thrill of marriage does not last very long. The thrill of salvation does not last very long either.
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:67
No comments:
Post a Comment