Recently a friend and I were talking about how tough it can be to get old. The conversation was not centered as much on the physical aspects of aging, although that can certainly affect every part of life. It was centered on the sense of no longer being relevant.
What I mean by that is that aging moves us from the ones giving care to the ones often needing care. It moves us many times from the center of ministry to the edges. We see others doing what we once did … sometimes in a different way … and we wonder if everything is forgotten. And sometimes it is the physical aspects that do keep us sidelined or make us feel useless.
The first couple chapters in 1 Kings tell us of the transition from King David to his son King Solomon. David was old, cold, and apparently bedridden. There was intrigue caused by other sons until finally David was aroused and installed his son Solomon as king, as God had instructed him earlier.
1 Kings chapter 2 opens, “As the time approached for David to die, he instructed his son Solomon ….” [2Kings 2:1 HCSB]
In every life, if lived long enough, there comes a time when the older gives way to the younger. There comes a time when those who come after us must step up and lead the way. While God’s holiness, standards, and way of salvation never change, each generation in the church must be allowed to lead as God leads them.
The music may be different. The methods for outreach may be newer. Church services may look different. But the center of everything – Christ Jesus our LORD – remains the focus and goal.
