As we age, our perspective on life can shift, and as Christians, we have a unique view of ageing that emphasises the significance of our relationship with God. While many may view later life as a time of decline, from a Christian perspective, it is a time of spiritual growth and development.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who continued to serve God in their later years. In the Old Testament, Abraham was called to leave his home and follow God at the age of 75 (Genesis 12:1-4), and Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt at the age of 80 (Exodus 7:7). In both cases, their age was not a hindrance to God’s plan for their lives, but rather a part of it.
In the New Testament, we also witness individuals who remained devoted to serving God in their old age, such as Anna and Simeon. Anna, a prophetess, had been a widow for many years and lived in the temple, fasting and praying night and day. When she saw the baby Jesus being brought into the temple by Mary and Joseph, she praised God and spoke about Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).
Likewise, Simeon was a righteous and devout man who had been waiting for the consolation of Israel. Led by the Holy Spirit, he went into the temple courts and took the baby Jesus in his arms, praising God and declaring that he could now depart in peace, having seen the salvation of the Lord (Luke 2:25-32).
These stories remind us that no matter our age, we can still serve God and fulfill His purposes for our lives. Age is not a barrier to God’s plan, but rather an opportunity to testify of His goodness and faithfulness, just as Anna and Simeon did.
As we age, we may face physical limitations or health challenges that can make it more difficult to serve in certain ways. However, as Christians, we can be assured that our value and worth are not determined by our abilities or accomplishments, but by our relationship with God. We can continue to serve Him through prayer, worship, and acts of kindness, even if our physical abilities are limited.
In addition to serving God, as Christians, we also have the opportunity to pass on our faith to younger generations. In Titus 2:2-3, Paul instructs older men and women to teach younger generations, emphasising the importance of intergenerational relationships in the Christian community. We can share our wisdom, experiences, and stories of faith with those around us, and encourage them in their own journeys with God.
As we age, we may also face the reality of our own mortality. While this can be a difficult topic to contemplate, as Christians, we have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In John 11:25-26, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” This assurance of eternal life can bring comfort and peace in the later stages of life, as we trust in God’s promise of everlasting life with Him.
From a Christian perspective, later life is not a time of decline, but a time of spiritual growth and service to God. We can continue to serve Him and pass on our faith to younger generations, even in the face of physical limitations or health challenges. And we can have hope and assurance in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Celebrating Later Life
Coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we took up the theme of celebrating later life through 2 Tea Parties in June 2022, reflecting on the long life and faith of our Queen and talking about the opportunities open to us all and how we can make the best of them.
Celebrating Later Life – A Jubilee Tea Party at The Briery, Ilkley
Sunday 12th June 2022
We enjoyed celebrating our Queen and hearing Thelma Laycock’s reflections on opportunities she has had in later life, followed by chatting over a scrumptious tea made by the catering team at The Briery.
Celebrating Later Life – A Jubilee Tea Party at Wheeler Hall
Thursday 16th June 2022
We enjoyed celebrating our Queen, aided by thoughts from Mary Marshall of the Mother’s Union, and listened to an interview with Growing Old Grace-fully Trustee, Cath Mahoney, about the opportunities she had embraced after retirement. We followed with small group discussions and continued chatting over a lovely afternoon tea from Nurture.