Share the wisdom of the elderly

Dr. John Thomas St. Johns Mar Thoma Church, UK

 

When we use the term Senior Citizen or the elderly or the Aged there is several synonyms that come to our mind, such as,Passed the prime, Spent force, those passed the Sell by Date or Best Before Date or use by date, Surplus to Requirement, One foot in the grave, Burden on the society and NHS. They are often marginalised and not in the mainstream. They are labelled as non-productive members of the community. Some are physically weak and perhaps even financially weak. But those are the people, who have lived through various conditions and survived all that were thrown at them. Those who have reached their seventies or eighties have lived through war, floods, droughts, financial downturns and built up a lot of skills for survival.

Old aged people have been through many different hardship experiences that will help our walk of faith. They have made mistakes and they will help guide us so we don’t make the same mistakes. An elderly Christian never truly gets old. You only get old when you stop seeking the advancement of the kingdom of God. You only get old when you cease building up others in Christ.

 

Research carried out at Texas University has found that older people are better at making choices that led to long term gain, while younger people were quicker to make choices which led to immediate rewards.The researchers suggested that this could be because younger people make choices using a part of the brain called ventral striatum which is linked to the immediate rewards. As this declines with age, older people are forced to compensate by using their prefrontal cortices, which control rational and deliberate thoughts.

 

But how do we consider the Senior Citizens?

What does the Bible say?

“They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,”(Psalm92:14 )

“The glory of the young is their strength; the grey hair of experience is the splendour of the old.”(Proverbs 20:29)

“You shall stand up before the grey head and honour the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord”.(Leviticus 19:32)

“Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness.”(Proverbs 16:31)  

If you have spent your years walking with God, and learning from Him, then you have earned every grey hair on your head. They should be celebrated and worn like a crown, as a testament that you are the living, breathing child of a King.

 

Some life lessons come in an instant, and others must be learned from years of experience and growth. The older we grow, the more we learn about kindness, patience, heartbreak, love and mercy. All of these experiences lead us to a deeper understanding of life’s seasons, and a greater wisdom of God’s presence through them all.

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers.”(1 Timothy 5:1)

“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

 

But how is it in the eyes of God?

God does not operate and age bar or a retirement age.

God chose Noah when he was 600 years old to build an ark to save the animals of his creation from the flood.

God chose Abraham to be the father of a great nation when he was 100 years old and Sarah to be the mother of a great nation when she was 90 years old.

God chose Moses to lead the Israelites from slavery in Egypt when he was 80 years old Aaron when he was 83 years old.

God chose Zachariah & Elizabeth as parents of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ when they were too old to have children.

 

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”(2 Corinthians 4:16)

Our body may appear older, but our insides are being renewed daily.

Old age is a blessing from the Lord.We should never be afraid of aging. Christians have a responsibility to show kindness, respect, and to take care ofthe elderly. When living by the Word of God old age brings wisdom that is able to help and guide others in need.

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”(Job 12:12 )Older people should be valued for their experience. 

Yes! With age comes Wisdom.

When people think of wisdom they immediately think of it as someone who has scholarly knowledge or received a lot of learning but it could be defined as having the knowledge of what is true and right. When asked what is wisdom?the common answer is the gift of knowing everything butit is more of a person having an open mind to further increase their knowledge. People gain most of their wisdom not from classroom but from their life experience as books can only teach us so much.

 

Knowledge and wisdom are not synonyms.

Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and data that you have learned about or experienced. It is being aware of something, and having information. Knowledge is really about facts and ideas that we acquire through study, research, investigation, observation, or experience.

What is Wisdom?

The Greek philosopher Socratesdefines wisdom as follows: - “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Or the more you know, you know that more you do not know.Wisdom is the ability to discern and judge which aspects of that knowledge are true, right, lasting, and applicable to your life. It is the ability to apply that knowledge to the greater scheme of life. It is also deeper; knowing the meaning or reason; about knowing why something is and what it means to your life.

Knowledge is what is gathered over time through study. It can be said of wisdom, in turn, acts properly upon that knowledge. Wisdom is the fitting application of the knowledge. Knowledge knows when you are driving your car that the traffic light has turned red; wisdom applies the brakes. Knowledge sees a puddle of water; wisdom walks around it. Knowledge memorises the Ten Commandments; wisdom obeys them. Knowledge learns of God; wisdom loves him.

Biblical Definition of Wisdom

The biblical definition of wisdom is the fear of the Lord as that’s where it begins and God is the sourceof that wisdom. Paul makes a clear distinction between worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom.The earthly wisdom is really no wisdom at all because “the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

True wisdom is found in obedience to God, fearing Him and by praying or asking for it.

 “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honour” (Proverbs 15:33)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight”.(Proverbs 9:10)

“Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28) 

 

The fear referred to here is not the fear of being struck down by lightening, or being struck dead, but it is deep, abiding, holy reverence and the respect for the Lord and for His word. Where there is reverence there tend to be obedience and God has said He prefers obedience over sacrifice ( 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6)

 

Paul writes;“YetI do proclaim a message of wisdomto those who are spiritually mature. But it is not the wisdom that belongs to this world or to the powers that rule this world - powers that are losing their power. The wisdom I proclaim is God’s secret wisdom, which is hidden from mankind, but which he had already chosen for our glory even before the world was made”.(1 Corinthians 2:6-7).

God’s wisdom which is revealed through the spirit is so special.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

 

What is the Source of this wisdom?

King Solomon was not born wise perhaps was not a scholar but he sought wisdom. He located the source of wisdom and he found a way of getting it. He realised that wisdom was with God and to get it is by asking for it. He had to get close to God and had to have a conversation with God. One should have ones communication channels open with God.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”. (Proverbs 2:6)

“For to the one who pleases Him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind”. (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”(1 Corinthians 1:30) 

“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3) Or“He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge.”

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubt is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”(James 1:5-6) 

Jesus speaking of troubled times when you are persecuted said:“For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”(Luke 21:15)

 

Why should we listen to old people? A very good question.

There is ambivalence about the wisdom of older people, if popular culture is any guide. We are provided with buffoonish images of old people in popular media. Despite these negative images the young people are open to the idea of older people as potential repositories of wisdom. Still young people are right to ask: Why should I spend time listening to old people’s advice about how to live my life?Let me offer three reasons why the wisdom of older people can be a uniquely important source of guidance for the not-yet-old.

 

1. Listening to the advice of older people has promoted well-being and even survival.

For centuries the accumulated wisdom of older people was a key to human survival. Not only did the old improve the survival chances of their tribe.They also were the source of tried and tested experience, the true “elders” to who group members would go in time of crisis.

 

2. Elders are a unique and extraordinary generation.

People in their seventies and beyond have lived through experiences many of us today can only imagine. Their lives have often included “ultimate limit situations”;the situations that cannot be undone and were nonetheless faced with consciousness and resolve. It is precisely these situations that lead to wisdom.. This unique perspective is a valuable lens through which younger people can view their own lives.

                                                           

3. The elders offer an alternative to conventional wisdom.

Conventional wisdom is what the members of a society learn while they are growing up. Conventional wisdom offers up images of the good life and reinforces the values of the culture. It ultimately becomes the basis of our identity and self-esteem. And it’s very hard to see beyond conventional wisdom, even if it makes us live smaller and less happy lives, but it is in the challenge to the conventional worldview that the true value of their wisdom lie. The elders make us examine our assumptions and make more conscious decisions about our own scripts for happiness.

 

“Look for a moment at ancient wisdom and consider the truth our fathers learnt.”

Our life is shortwe know nothing at all;we pass like shadows across the earth.

But let the wise men teach you; Listen to what they had to say” (Job 8:8-10)

“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deuteronomy 32:7 ) 

 

All generations have been entrusted with different lessons based upon the time they lived. There is much to be learned from those that have gone before us. God places people in our lives who can teach us these lessons- parents, grandparents, church elders-and they can explain so much about God. We just have to take the time and consideration to ask for help.

“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old”. (Proverbs 23:22)

 

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

 

Consequence of not taking the advice of the wise elders.

After Solomon’s death his son Rehoboam succeeded as king. He went to Schechem where all the people of northern Israel gathered to make him king. People made a request that if he made their life easier than Solomon who put heavy burden on them, then they would be his loyal subject. He consulted the older men who were the advisers of Solomon who advised him to give a favourable answer to the people. But he refused the advice and took the advice of his younger friends who were his new advisers to be much tougher than Solomon. We know what happened next. The nation was divided into two- Judea where Rehoboamruled as the king and Israel where Jeroboam was appointed as the king.

 

Responsibility of the Older people.

Old Christian men and women have a duty to help the younger generation.

"And now that I am old and grey, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles."(Psalm 71:18)

This should be the prayer of many, asking god to stay with them and to remember them, throughout their lives. We live long enough to see God’s wonderful work and should ache at the thought of someone not getting that chance. We hope that we can help others to know Him as we have known Him

 

Counsel for Senior Citizen

“Teach the older men to be serious and unruffled; they must be sensible, knowing and believing the truth and doing everything with love and patience. Teach the older women to be quiet and respectful in everything they do. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers, but they should be teachers of goodness. These older women must train the younger women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their children, and to be sensible and clean minded, spending their time in their own homes, being kind and obedient to their husbands, so that the Christian faith can't be spoken against by those who know them." (Titus 2:2-5)

 

Just to summarise:

God does not operate an age bar. Older people gain wisdom from their long life experience. Worldly wisdom is a folly in the sight of God. God’s wisdom is the true everlasting wisdom. God is the source of that wisdom which will be given to those who ask in faith. Old Christian men and women have the duty to pass on that wisdom to new generation.

 

Conclusion

There is a common belief that we gradually become less useful as we grow older; that this world is made for the young. Noah, Moses, Abraham-some of our greatest biblical examples-all went on some of their greatest adventures at a time when most would be settling into retirement. Should you be finding yourself feeling a little bit forgotten, overlooked, unappreciated, take care to remember that God will use you at any age? There is no age limit to the way He works, and His is a love that never grows old.