THE CHALLENGE OF AGING – VALUING CAREER

One of the temptations of old age is to think of yourself as having no value. People don’t know who you are or what you have done with your life. You do not feel productive and valuable as you used to be. You are not sought out or asked to contribute as you were in your prime. It is important to value what you have been and done and have a sense of self-worth no matter what your time in life. Each one of us has a track record, a set of accomplishments, and great memories of a life well lived. The longer we live the longer our résumé. Remember the days when you had to update your biographical details so that they were ready when you had to apply for a new position? I had to keep track of all my continuing education courses, conferences, training, sabbaticals, speaking and research engagements over the years, all my publications, memberships as well as my employment details. As I look back on them they constitute considerable activity. From the beginning of my formal college education to my retirement from public ministry they cover fifty-four years of work. I count twelve different job descriptions in New Zealand, England, Massachusetts, Texas and Florida.

What a wealth of memories they hold for me! What fascinating places and people I enjoyed! What historic churches and other venues I had the privilege of ministering in! I learned to drive around London, Boston, North-East Florida, San Antonio and other parts of Texas. The variety of weddings and funerals for hosts of members, baptisms galore, beautiful babies and brides, handsome grooms and wedding parties. Leading Bible Studies at the University Club in Jacksonville in the 1980’s, and at the Frost Bank in San Antonio in the 1990’s. Officiating at historic cemeteries at each place I served. As I look back in time I see a cavalcade of people I was fortunate to know and to love, and who knew and loved me. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had to preach the gospel, to comfort and encourage hosts of people.

I am impressed that St. Paul always introduced his letters to the churches with his credentials: “Paul, a servant of God, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). He gloried in his service to God. “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the nations to obey God, by what I have said and done – though the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to northwestern Greece, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:17-19) He ended his letter to the Romans by greeting twenty-six individuals whom he had known over the years. How many people could we list that we have known over the years that have formed part of our lives? When we start to value our relationships and all that we have done over our lifetime we may find that we have lived life to the fullest. We each have our credentials as servants of God, set apart for the gospel through which Christ has accomplished much by the power of the Spirit. Let us rejoice in the value of our lives. We have not lived for nothing and we can continue to be productive until the day we enter into the nearer presence of the Lord.