Who Am I? A Word For Seniors Pt2

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV.

In the last Brief Word we talked about that as many of us get older, we’re unable to actually do as much as we once did.

One morning in my quiet time I was thanking God for the revelation of God’s identity, and who I am in Christ, and all the things He’s done for me because of His death and resurrection. I was marvelling at all the truth and freedom I’d received because of it. It had been an incredible season of years really of seeing things I’d seen before, but were seeing more clearly now and I understood it more and more. The LORD had worked a great work in my heart about my identity. But I said to the LORD, “Why have You shown me all these incredible truths about my identity?” He whispered into my heart; “Because you’re going to need it.” I’ll never forget it.

He’s right.

(Note to self though; don’t ever ask God why. We always get an answer but it may not be what we like to hear).

As we get older and maybe retire from our life’s work, especially us men (perhaps more so but not exclusively) can find it difficult to have that sense of identity we had. We are not doing things anymore we once did, that helped us have a sense of purpose, because we knew God had gifted, called and anointed us to do those things — business, ministry, or whatever field we served in.

Not all those who get old will be restricted by health or other ailments, but whatever situation we’re in, how do we know our value to God, the church and community?

This is exactly when we need to have a secure revelation in our heart about who we are in Christ, and a strong relationship with Him. When we can no longer do the things we used to do, which served to confirm part of our identity, this is when our Christ Identity is a vital truth to have firmly embedded in our heart.

Here it is again. You find out your true identity, when you can do nothing to confirm it.

A change, a slowdown in our activity does not mean in any way that our value and standing before God has changed. We are still sons and daughters of the Living God, and His will for us is to rejoice, pray and give constant thanks. That’s the outworking of who we have always been. That’s a few important things we can do, which confirms our Christ identity.

So as we are able to do less, attend less meetings, be less involved in business, church and Kingdom things, nothing, absolutely nothing changes about who we are in Christ. We are still blood-bought sons and daughters of the Living God; we are still made righteous because of the Blood of Christ. We are still the apple of His eye, we are still trophies of His grace, forgiven, redeemed. We are still who He has made us to be, as we wait expectantly for the day when we will enter into His presence, and forever serve Him with a fully functioning, pain-free new resurrection body.

But; What is God’s will for us as we age and before we depart to be with Christ? A very good question! When we’re young this question is a big one for us. But as we get older it is still a question in many senior’s minds.

God’s word gives us some clear guidance.

This is God’s will for us especially when we’re older (I believe). One thing is we have more time available.

1. Rejoice always; After a lifetime of Christian living, we certainly have no lack of things to rejoice about.
2. Pray without ceasing; Yes, we can do that. Praying and interceding for our loved ones, our local church, our community and nation. There’s no lack of subjects to pray for. The church is undergirded I believe by the faithful prayers of elderly saints, who pray in the early hours, in the daytime, at any time, or all the time.
3. In everything give thanks to God; I’m sure like me you look back and see many times when I thought things were going to turn out badly, but God was faithful. And I should have been more thankful in those times. Well now I can be thankful in everything because I know and have proven God’s faithfulness time and again.

It doesn’t take much activity do those things!

If you’re a senior; rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. Older folk with who are joy-filled, prayer-full, and have a thankful heart, are great people to be around. If you’re not a senior, those three things are a great habit to establish and carry over into our senior years.

Here’s something very important. Aging is not a mistake to be corrected, it is a season to be honoured. Perhaps your finest hour. Old age is not a breakdown; it is a new chapter in God’s providence. A sacred calling.

One of the great benefits of getting older and doing less, is that I am discovering more and more and more of just how much God has done for me, and who He has made me to be. It is a wonderful and a privileged season. To know God and His word in a much deeper away, and to enjoy the peace and power of His wonderful presence, is just phenomenal.

At whatever age, you are who God says you are and you are who His grace makes you to be.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:3-6 NKJV.