Steve Carter discusses the difficulties and joys of growing old with Christ
‘Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?’ Paul McCartney’s lyrics anticipated needing care in old age.
A related issue is how well as believers do we face the realities of old age? Advertising portrays healthy and glowing ‘over-60s’ having the time of their lives, be it trekking in the Andes, free-falling from the sky or sailing off the Florida Keys, but the eventual reality will be starkly different. Billy Graham (who died aged 99 years) confessed that growing older was harder than he ever imagined. So, what are some of the realities and resources for believers in old age?
1. The reality of physical decline
Prince Philip, having reached his 90th birthday (in 2011), ruefully commented that ‘bits are beginning to drop off’. Many an older Christian can sympathise. Ecclesiastes 12 poetically describes the once-active man or woman reduced to shuffling feet, fearing heights and battling with growing deafness, to name but a few issues. The growing terror of dementia also causes many to fear. Before these things hit us, we need to think ahead.
We are looking forward to the new heaven and earth where we will be more alive than ever. Total health will then be our reality. The spring in the step will return, the body sown in dishonour will be raised in honour, as a glorified physical body. Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones wrote: ‘God’s plan of redemption is not complete until there is an earth for man to live in and on, in the body.’
The minister and theologian Andrew A. Hoekema added: ‘On that new earth we hope to spend eternity, enjoying its beauties, exploring its resources and using its treasure to the glory of God.’
2. The need to deal with past mis-takes, failures and aching regret.
Our enemy Satan is the accuser and disturber of the peace of every Christian. He will give us no rest until we depart for glory. The fiery arrows aimed at our conscience are part of his armoury. Regrets over past failures, deliberate mistakes, culpable errors, even actions taken in good faith which had unintended negative consequences and are now recalled with pain. Many can testify that it is in the dark and early hours, when sleep deserts them, that the malicious arrows fly.
At such times it is well to remember we are not the first to experience such pangs. The Baptist theologian Augustus Strong described one such experience in the dying of Oliver Cromwell. As Lord Protector for England he had made some outstandingly difficult decisions in the course of his life. On his deathbed he experienced an overwhelming lack of assurance of salvation. In his anguish he was wisely directed to the Scriptures: ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Rom. 8:1). One secret of the apostle Paul’s effectiveness in ministry is that he never lost sight of and was always humbled by the mercy of God to repentant sinners: ‘But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.’
In his inimitable way, the Victorian preacher C.H. Spurgeon urged us that for every look at our own heart we were to take ten looks at the cross. In doing so, thoughts of ‘vain regret need haunt my soul no more’.
3. Accepting a less active ministry.
A good friend recently shared the emotional pain of giving up involvement in her church’s mother and toddler group due to old age and increasing deafness. The interaction with the young, the appreciation of many parents, the sound of happy laughter and tears would all be missed, as well as the opportunity to serve Christ in this way. Those who have been in so-called ‘full-time ministry’ will perhaps feel this still more keenly.
The great John Elias, who traversed Wales and parts of England preaching, spent his last years confined in a small room due to old age. At such times the challenge comes: ‘Did we get our thrill from the work of the Lord or the Lord of the work?’ Whatever the answer, our resource is to value the opportunity to spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
The idol of busyness can now be broken down as we recalibrate our value and worth, not primarily in what we have done or do, but in a heart taken up and lost in wonder love and praise. Our names are on the palms of His hands which eternity will never erase. Equally other opportunities may arise. Think of the invalided Susannah Spurgeon, initiating a book fund for village pastors, or of Amy Carmichael, confined to bed for the last 30 years of her life, leaving behind a legacy of poems and books to edify future generations. There’s always a work for Jesus none but you can do.
4. Recognising ongoing temptation
A senior theologian was once asked by a student: ‘Sir, what temptations do you face as an older man?’ After a thoughtful pause, he replied: ‘The same as when I was young… and a few more!’
Whilst not denying growth in practical Christian living, temptations will dog us until we breathe our last. They are clearly identifiable, i.e. the world, the flesh and the devil. And they can only be resisted by constant vigilance, and the cultivation of a daily and felt communion with Him who is ‘altogether lovely’. Maintaining the means of grace is vital to finishing our course with joy. And thankfully even failure in old age need not be final. As ever, plenteous grace with Thee is found.
5. Reflecting on the joy of heaven
As excitement builds when awaiting a longed-for holiday, so excitement should build as we count off the days towards the term ending and the holidays beginning. What adventure awaits the child of God! At present, we can but scratch the surface in anticipating the deepest joy, the sweetest fellowship, the lasting peace, the near-to-bursting ecstasy and praise, and the absence of sin and suffering.
We are coming into His banqueting house and His banner over us is love. Whilst the finest vocabulary will always be limited and clumsy in trying to express what awaits us, an extract from John Piper’s poem ‘Glorified’ has always gone some way to unveil the wonder to me:
The blind can see a bird on wing The dumb can lift their voice and sing. The diabetic eats at will The coronary runs uphill. The lame can walk, the deaf can hear, The cancer-ridden bone is clear. Arthritic joints are lithe and free And every pain has ceased to be. And every sorrow deep within And every trace of lingering sin Is gone and all that’s left is joy And endless ages to employ The mind and heart and understand
And love the sovereign Lord who planned That it should take eternity To lavish all his grace on me.
These are but some of the realities and resources that encourage me as I approach old age. May they do the same for you, dear reader.
