“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.”
(Proverbs 16:31)
Recently, a few of our Sr. Adults were recognized for their faithfulness of service in Pickens Baptist Association. The pictures on this page show some of those folks. They have been and continue being “good and faithful servants” to our Lord. Their faithful service started me thinking about this topic of being a senior adult. Although I may not consider myself one, I am by some who do the statistics. By others, I am not. Either way, I’m not a “spring chicken anymore”.
There are many phrases which are used to describe this age of life. Unfortunately, most of the terms used are derogatory like declining years, golden age, winter of life, retirement age, and elderly. These descriptions creep into the life of the local church and even into our own minds. We, senior adults, begin feeling useless or “past our prime”. Seriously, who are the folks making those designations? Usually, some young person who hasn’t experienced life and doesn’t know what he or she is talking about.
Honestly, as I look at these people who were honored, they have endured and been constant, persistent, and stable in their Christian life. These are the proper words that we should use for those of us who are aging well.
God inspired King Solomon to write that “gray hair is a crown of splendor…attained in the way of righteousness”. He observed that older people who walked in the way of the Lord gained a crown through their faithfulness to Him. Also, the Bible teaches that the seniors need to continue living out their lives to the full by training younger believers to learn from them. It is not a time of retirement. It is not a time to slow down. It is not a time “to put up one’s feet and rest.” There is still much to be done in our churches and our communities.
Just as these brothers and sisters of Pickens Baptist Association received recognition on earth we, seniors, are striving for a heavenly reward from our Lord Jesus Christ. In Pickens County, there are about 3000 experienced folks who must NOT stop, but must KEEP going forward. May we allow God to use us until our time here is finished!
Until next month,
Bro. Lyle