When we are children we often have aspirations for greatness for when we grow up. What I never realized as a child and teen is that it never stops, for as we learn and grow and experience life we continue to acquire aspirations for when we grow up.
Recently I had opportunity to attend a volunteer gala/appreciation evening … at a seniors facility. The greater majority of those being honored were aged seventy and up! The oldest was ninety-three!
That evening reminded me of something I heard during a sermon or speech a number of months ago:
“challenge our young people
and comfort our aged”
I jotted it down because it did not sit well with me … I could not hear it and say that I heard truth … that I heard aspirations for all.
The other night confirmed for me that that statement is an unfortunate generalization of how society approaches the aged (and young people), for I saw seniors/the aged who are active, contributing members of society who are offering comfort to their peers, their community as well as challenging (by their example) those of us who are younger that their gifts can still be used in later years.
I remember my grandmother, in her eighties, telling me she was still driving the old girls on her road to church each Sunday. This is a real life goal!
Joel 2:28 tells us:
“… I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
The Spirit is poured out to all people, from the young to the old. If we look at further verses throughout the Bible we would see that the Spirit is poured out to the Jew and the Gentile, sons and daughters, the young and the old.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary speaks of this verse in Joel:
““Your old men, who are past their vigour and whose spirits begin to decay, your young men, who have yet but little acquaintance with and experience of divine things, shall yet dream dreams and see visions;” God will reveal himself by dreams and visions both to the young and old. “
When I grow up I want to be challenged, I want to be giving and sharing the Spirt of God in all that I do … maybe even comforting my peers … and the youth.
Carole – Thank you for this sharing – My landlord is 86 and she is quite a treasure – Every morning at 0700, she is out the door for a 45 minute walk. She plays bridge 3 days a week at various locations and hosts a life group in her home … just a wee list of activities that fill her day. We have had many delightful and deep conversations … during a recent one, she shared, “When I get old … ” – She is such an inspiration for me … when I grow up (get old), I want to be just like her !!!
Debra, what a treasure and example you have in your neighbor! Thanks for sharing about her!
Carole
Carole, I have been looking forward to meeting you and was so delighted to connect with you at that volunteer gala.
When we moved into this retirement community, three years ago, I thought that there were just a bunch of old people living here. Oh, how much my thinking has changed. These “old people” have challenged, encouraged, loved and prayed for me. God has shown me a new direction for this season of my life.
Susan, It was a delight to finally meet you as well! I love that your perspective has changed about your “old people” community. I am certain that you have changed perspectives for others as well. Isn’t it so great that, at any age, God reminds us that he is not done with us yet!
Carole