COMING FORTH AS GOLD IN THE GOLDEN YEARS

Helen Gardiner “To everything there is a season A time for every purpose under heaven A time to be born And a time to die.” (Please read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The darkness of pre-dawn was rapidly slipping away; the air bore the crisp, slight chill of Autumn, as I moved about quietly in the downstairs of our home. I was busy with my preparatory chores for the day; tidying up, feeding dogs, making packed lunches and early morning coffee and tea. It was just another day in many respects, and yet, it was different and special. It was special because it was my 50th birthday, and as I moved about I was aware of the sweet Presence of Jesus, my Lord. Under His leading, my mind swept fleetingly over my life, and thankfulness and abundant love overflowed my heart towards this very precious Lord and Saviour Who had brought me, and my loved ones, through so very much. I became so aware that I was entering into the third phase of my earthly life, and the Lord showed me that His heart is truly for that phase to be “Golden”. For all of us. As I looked back over my life, I rejoiced over the days of youthfulness and happy memories but realised too, that I had to learn so many lessons, and had had to come through so much fire of purging and refining. I had no longing to go back and live in times past. That’s all very well, you might think, but what has all this got to do with me? Meant to be a Pinnacle It has everything to do, I believe, with the Lord wanting to raise up something of a banner for the third phase of earthly life, meant to be a golden pinnacle, rather than a time that is dreaded and despised. For too many people, the final phase of earthly life is approached with gloom and expectation of increasing discontent, uselessness and death. Yet, in Christ, the very opposite should be our faith and expectation. Because I live in a town which is an old age haven, I get to see and rub shoulders with many elderly people, and have concluded that old age very often is a time when people are overtaken by bitterness and complaining…and yet, Jesus does not purpose it to be so. The Christ within and upon a life, is ever transforming that life from glory to glory, and the apostle Paul’s revelation and experience, can, in and through Jesus Christ, become ours as well: “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16b-18). Even physical death itself, in Christ, has no sting. Do we, as Christians, really believe that? Do we really rejoice and glory in the revelation that to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord? (2 Cor. 5:8). Our Saviour Himself exhorts us in John 11:25, 26 - “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” We live in a youth-orientated world, and many have believed the lie that old age spells gloom and despair and a preoccupation with a decaying body... Beloved of Christ, it is not meant to be so; but rather to be a time of coming forth as pure gold! I remember a number of years ago, in the Church, the prophetic catch or buzz phrase was “the Joshua-generation”. Now, I think that at the time, people pictured this generation being the “young guns” - all youthful zeal, enthusiasm and passion, rippling muscled bodies, etc. What a figment of imagination...the Biblical account reveals to us that Joshua and Caleb were old, and the estimation is that Joshua was in his 80’s when he took the Israelites into the Promised Land. According to Jewish historian Josephus, Joshua endured 40 years of cruel slavery in Egypt before his 40 years in the wilderness. Having read this, as older or elderly people, we may find ourselves encouraged and affirmed. However, some may find their personal experience is far removed from the sentiments expressed above, and the temptation may be to feel discouraged and condemned. The latter response and position is not our Lord’s desire for us. His heart is to lift us out of the mire of gloom and uselessness, for the Kingdom of God is all about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS * Examine and judge your life, past and present. Confess and repent of sin that has not been dealt with (1 John 2:9; 1 Cor. 11:31). Make right with people. One of the greatest blessings and graces of the Christian walk, is the washing away of the filth of the sins we have committed. Jesus gives us the chance to start afresh with a clean slate, daily. Today can be a fresh start. Examine your heart especially for bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. Forgive everyone who has ever hurt or harmed you in any way. Read the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:21-35). Bitterness is something which can creep into our hearts and if it isn’t nipped in the bud, it can grow and overtake us (Hebrews 12:12-15). * Set aside time each day to pray and read the Bible. With more time on your hands than a younger person, you can pray and intercede for others, delighting in seeing your prayers answered. Talk to God; be open and honest, like a child. Develop an intimate, personal, pure relationship with the Lord. Come to know Him and His love for YOU. No-one on the face of the earth will ever love you more than HE does. * Worship Him. He builds His throne in our hearts as we worship Him. He inhabits our praises (Ps. 22:3). * If you are mobile, reach out to help others, seeking to fulfil practically Jesus’ commandment to love others. Be a servant, emulating Jesus, believing that it is better and more blessed to give than to receive. Servanthood deals with the selfishness in all of us. * Be humble (James 4:10). In the sight of God, and in the sight of men, take the lowly seat (Luke 14:7-14). * Be thankful. In everything give thanks. Don’t grumble (1 Thess. 5:18). Embrace for your life Phil. 4:4-8. * Be a blessing to your children and grandchildren. Do not hide yourself from your own flesh (Isaiah 58:7d). * Offer your pearls of wisdom with grace and humility. Let your tongue be as choice silver, feeding many (Proverbs 10:20a, 21a; 15:1-2). Don’t use your tongue for curses, gossip and backbiting (James 3:1-12). * Remember a key principle of the Kingdom is that what you sow, you will reap. The measure you use will be measured back to you (Gal. 6:7-10). If you want the blessings of God on you and your life, seek to live the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. * Finally, focus on the inner man and try not to be obsessive with your earthly shell and its aches and pains. The flesh profits nothing (John 6:63). [From: Prepare the Way]