Few things are more critical than knowing one’s purpose in life. For unbelievers, finding their purpose is a daily struggle, constantly blowing them about from here to there, anxiously searching for anything that makes sense of life.
But for a disciple of Jesus Christ, this is easy, as we are called to be his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). The role has broad implications, but it is an important job and a great calling.
I am no longer a young man, so writing about the mission of older Christian writers is likely something that naturally comes to mind, given my experience working with authors at all stages of life, along with the growth of my eyebrows and the appearance of age spots on my hands and face.
But what brought this to mind was an event about a year ago at a breakfast meeting with the leadership of a ministry at my church. As the meeting wound down, one by one, the younger men had to leave to catch a train or get to the office for an early call or another pressing event with their young families.
A few of us remained. All are retired, except me!
We chatted for 30 minutes about our special role as older guys in the group. The conversation naturally wandered into “keeping these young whipper-snappers in line.”
Okay, I made that part up, but the conversation had the vibe of sharing our experience of how things were done in the past.
Something didn’t sit right to me since that wasn’t what I thought of our special role working with the younger guys; instead, I viewed it more as being a spiritual example.
Maybe I am fighting the inevitable aspects of aging, but I have an adverse reaction when the urge arises to start a sentence with “When I was your age.” Likely, it comes from a fear of someone responding with “Who cares?”
The mission for older Christian writers is the following (from Titus 2):
- Show others what it means not to be anxious, but to pray about everything.
- Exercise self-control, be worthy of respect, and live wisely.
- Remind younger believers of God’s long-term faithfulness, care, and sustaining grace.
- Live and work with love and patience.
- Encourage younger believers to live in a way that honors God.
More specifically, older Christian writers should write humbly, meaning that while something is clear now, it took a while to get there. Admit that. Everything they write should be characterized by:
- The trustworthy promises of God.
- His faithfulness can be relied on.
- While sometimes it feels like God is far away, readers can grow more daily to believe their beliefs and doubt their doubts.
- The depth of your faith and understanding, not with condescension or arrogant authority, but with humble care.
This isn’t a heavy load to bear because it isn’t dependent on your insight or creative prowess. The Spirit of God who has dwelt in you for so long will do the heavy lifting, and the results will be up to God.
Just like for everything else we’ve ever done.
21st-Century Apologetics: Why Christian Authors No Longer Need to Be Relevant
My age is not now relevant,
though my songs have all been sung,
and though it was not my intent,
I will die forever young.
The days and years now in the past
have taught, well, nothing real,
and future views that I had glassed
were left for pain to steal,
and thus I only have today
when all things are made new.
Each hour I learn how to pray
again, learn fresh that which is true
and what had always been defined,
to which my years had left me blind.
I love this. We really don’t retire; our lives can be full of purpose and abundance to the end. Thank you!
Completely tracking with you, Dan.
FWIW: Eyebrows can and should be trimmed.
To read this on an “older” birthday, when in conversations with God and others about what is next, is helpful. Thank you.
I know I’m not the only one grateful for your example. Thanks for being you, for being willing and able to teach, and for effectively pouring your life and knowledge into others—and for teaching us to do the same. And before you say, “I don’t know why you’re thanking me for ‘being’ me; who else would I be?” (because I could totally hear you)—you have made choices to be who you are. Not everyone does. And you make a huge difference. Don’t ever forget it. 💙
Amen to your last line. I suppose one aspect of getting old is becoming more aware of how He blesses us in His Humble way, often hidden. I may be in my “end times”, but I am so thankful “that now I see”. Many of God’s Wonderful Blessings to You
Being in this age bracket and seeing the need to reach the younger generation, I certainly understand finding a place in my church, worship, and writing as aging nips at my heels. This is excellent, Dan. Absolutely excellent.
Thanks for those encouraging words, Dan. I used to be in the keep-them-in-line camp, but finally learned I can’t reach young people that way. I read how Billy Graham spoke with youth in the 1960s to understand their needs so he could better communicate the Gospel to them. I’m hoping to do the same with my children’s generation.
This is gold, Dan!
This is where I am, and according to your words, I shouldn’t be “flailing around” looking for my purpose…it’s already there staring me in the face wherever I go and whomever I’m with. All I have to do is follow. Thanks… 🙂
As I have come to expect from your posts Dan, this one comes at a perfect moment. My books arrived from the publisher yesterday, and as always happens, I open the box, and can not believe what I see. Actual, physically real books, all with my name on them. Overcome with emotion, I pray my thanks to the Lord for all the gifts from so many people (including you, Dan) and from God to allow this to be real. I don’t know if this will be my last book, (speaking of age) but that will be, as you wrote, up to God, and I will abide by His will. That strategy has worked very well up to now.
I’m so excited for you, Sy!!! 💙
Thanks for your wise guidance, Dan. What a privilege it is to have the time and resources to write in this special time of life.
Excellent points Dan! I turned 69 last year and it was the best year of my life. (Why did it take so long?) There’s no greater feeling than finding your purpose at any season of life, but especially in the fourth quarter.
Love this, Dan. I couldn’t agree more. So good to see this insight and reminders summed up this way. Thank you!
Well said Dan! Thanks for keeping us ‘old geezers’ on track.
Thanks Dan! Being in the old demographic myself, I often think back to what I wanted from “old” people when I was younger. It was always the same: please listen with a desire to understand, don’t judge me or my friends, be fun, show grace and instead of complaining about being old show me what a full satisfying life in Jesus looks like. Thankfully I had wonderful examples of this in my life. Your post today says it so well: continue to live a life of faith and grace and use our resource of availability to its best end. Thanks for the reminder that God still loves to use us old folks. And real humility is so important. This post is a keeper for me. Thanks Dan!!
AS one who is also in the senior citizen age group I appreciate the sentiments. Your comments also need be applied when dealing with children, grandchildren, and if you have them, the “greats”.
Dan, thank you for your wise words. Write humbly before God. As an older writer I pray my words will encourage others, also those younger than myself, with the faithfulness God has shown to me. Thank you again!
Dan,
I love this post, and I can relate. I retired 9 months ago, and it is the retired people on the Deacon Board that visit the shut ins and the sick. The younger people do not have the time. So the older are the examples to the younger.
I enjoyed meeting you at BRMCRC
Dan,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection on our call to serve God as we age. I just turned 70 and continue to write a spiritual column that I hope embraces your wisdom. I humbly invite you to read it https.//http://conta.cc/3UbMx9G
With warmest regards,
Jane Rutter
Whoops, at https.//http://conta.cc/3UbMx9G
Hi! Well said and worth reading. Thank you.
Constance Buckley