goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Golden Years

By Linda Tancs

Writer C.S. Lewis once observed, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Even in the Bible, the concept of retirement is mentioned only once (Numbers 8:23-26). Levite priests retired at the age of 50, at which time they entered service as mentors of sorts to younger priests. Even then they did not retire in our modern sense of the word; they transitioned to other roles instead. Moses remained fruitful right up to the end of his life at age 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7). So did Job (Job 42:16-17). God desires that you continue to bear fruit in your old age (Psalm 92:14). History provides plenty of examples: Benjamin Franklin was 70 when he signed the Declaration of Independence; Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 69; Leonid Hurwicz received the Nobel Prize in Economics at age 90; and Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa at age 75. You get the point. The older you are, the more you have to share with others. Don’t hide your light (Matthew 5:15). Be a beacon.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Young at Heart

By Linda Tancs

Do you consider yourself “over the hill?” Maybe you can relate to King Solomon’s description of aging in Ecclesiastes 12:3—the body grows feeble, your teeth decay and your eyesight fails. Don’t be discouraged. The Psalmist promises fruit, freshness and flourishing in old age (Psalm 92:14). Indeed, some of the greatest heroes in the Bible were advanced in years. Moses got the call to deliver Israel when he was 80 years old. Isaac died full of years at 180 (Genesis 35:28), as did Jacob at 147 (Genesis 47:28). King David reigned until the age of 70, and Anna the prophetess was anywhere from 84 to 103 years old when she served in the temple at the time of Jesus’s birth (Luke 2:36-38).

Think of age as just a number. It worked for our heroes in faith. As the song Young at Heart says, it’s worth every treasure on earth to be young at heart. Remember, you can do all things through Christ who is your strength (Philippians 4:13).