Don’t Give Up Yet

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. (Psalm 92: 12-14 NLT)

In China and countries across East Asia, older adults are treated with honor, and respected in their families. In Native American cultures, elders are honored as teachers passing down the traditions, history, and wisdom to younger generations. However, we have seen that even these countries that represent how our elderly population should be treated have shifted due to growth and modernization. Society and cultural norms now place value on the skills of a younger generation with adaptability to meet workforce demands. And as cost of living has increased, many families have to work, forcing the care of their parents to be moved from home to outside resources. We have seen the errosion of value for our elderly population worldwide.

Last Sunday at church, during worship, “don’t give up yet” was part of a chorus in a song. The Holy Spirit impressed upon me the need to encourage our seniors about the importance of their place in the body of Christ. Yes, the church has changed and evolved over the past fifty years, but that doesn’t mean that the older generation does not have a place in it. Look at this passage in Psalm 92, “even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” The Lord has work to do through you. If you woke up this morning with air in your lungs, the Lord still has a calling on your life.

Whether you live at home, in an  assisted living community, or in a long-term living facility, you still have a mission field.  It isn’t necessarily in another country but right where you are planted. You can spread the good news of what God has done in your life, to your family, your friends, or even the people who provide health care to you. I can not begin to tell of the number of times someone in the hospital has been an encouragement to me when I am there to provide therapy for them.

We, as the other members of the body, are called to encourage them and honor them. Romans 12:10 instructs us, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2 teaches us ,  “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” We are called to see the value in all our members of the church regardless of age.

Above all, remind yourself of who God says you are: His child, part of a royal priesthood, chosen and beloved. No matter what our age, we all need to stand firmly in our identity and recognize our value in the kingdom of Heaven. Amen.