COLUMN: Grey Matters – Is old age part of your plan?

“Do not resent growing old. Many are denied the privilege.” -Irish Proverb

As I do my hospital rounds, I sometimes hear patients say, ‘If I’d known that I would live another 30 years after retirement I would have done things differently.’ Did you know that old age is meant to be a blessing? Such a thought comes as a surprise to many – because almost everything we hear in society about being old is negative.

I used to enjoy watching Late Night Shows as they made me laugh aloud, but now they make me mad. During the time when Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders were all hoping to be the next U.S. president the jokes about their old age were almost daily. They were being mocked for their age. Ageism right on prime time for all to see! Ageism is having negative stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or ourselves based on age.

Ageism is not a jokey, trivial thing. It seeps into our souls silently, powerfully, and daily – in hundreds of different ways. Blinding us to our value, and leaving millions feeling they are worthless and that their lives are now a waste of time. Ageism is pervasive, affects people of all ages from childhood onwards and has serious and far-reaching consequences for people’s health, well-being and human rights. Ageism can be found within institutions, in interactions between people, and within ourselves. One example is the anti-ageing cosmetics industry, that spends billions annually on hammering the message that aging is bad and should be hidden. World Health Organization (WHO) studies reveal that one in two people in the world are ageist against older people.

It is time we restore our ancient view of old age as seen from God’s perspective. In the Bible, we see that at age 75 Abraham was called by God to the work of starting a nation, Moses was 80 when called from the desert to help free the nation of Israel. Joshua was also 80 when called upon to lead the Israelites. The first ones to recognize the Messiah were Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna, all in their 70s & 80s. Paul called himself an old man. Apostle John was in his 90s when he received Revelations and wrote it all down for us.

God positively wants us to grow old, and He wants us to grow old positively.

When God created the universe, He set in motion times and seasons and the ageing process. When we realize the purpose God has in mind, we see how wonderful growing older is meant to be.

God sees old age as a reward and a blessing. Consider these verses:

• ‘With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see my salvation.’ Psalm 91:16,

• ‘…if you walk in my ways, I will prolong your life.’ 1 Kings 13:14,

• ‘…you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age.’ Genesis 15:15.

• ‘Honour your father and your mother, so you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.’ Exodus 20:12

The peak of the culture of Biblical times was wisdom, and because it’s acquired mostly with experience and age, older people were respected. ‘Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days,’ (Job 12:12). In contrast, in our culture, the peak of attainment is youth. That leaves us many years of disappointment.

Let’s stop listening to the marketing. God steadily works our whole lives honing and developing our character so that we can truly bless others. To be more reflective, less impulsive, able to take the long view, and with emotional balance and empathy, have greater compassion and listening skills to supportr others. This long preparation is the glory of eldership. The Bible regards older people as an elderhood in society. An important role. Not lording it over others, but helping, listening, mentoring, encouraging and above all – providing examples of His faithfulness!

Gary Dyck is a chaplain and spiritual care provider at a hospital and personal care home in the Southeast.