FRUIT IN MATURE YEARS

Oswald J Sanders, buoyant in his 90’’s, headed the Christian Leaders’ Training Centre at Banz, New Guinea. Mr and Mrs Little in their 70’s made hundreds of tape recordings of bible stories and wrote radio scripts firstly in Java and later in New Guinea. Mrs Grace Chang of Christian Literature Crusade, Indonesia while in her 70’s travelled in the Indonesian islands, often sleeping on the crude deck of cargo steamers, selling Christian literature and bibles. Mrs Merriweather in India, 98 years, was still active for her Lord, admitting she had slowed a little.

Mrs Jackson in her 80’s, though confined to a wheel chair, prayed daily for 400 missionaries. Mrs Grace Nicholls, 83, told me ‘I must press on for my Lord.’ before she eventually went to be with HIM.

The scripture recognises that the service of older people is essential today. Moses lived to 120, his eyes still bright, his natural force unabated. Joshua was old and advanced in years, when the Lord said of Canaan, ‘There remains much land to be possessed. ‘ Caleb said to Joshua, ‘ I am 85 years old, and yet I am as strong this day as I was 45 years before, in the day Moses sent me to spy out the Promised land.’ Caleb wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.

The middle and later years bring a deep joy and satisfaction so different from earlier, turbulent years.

A young man, in his 20’s said to me, ’I like to be with you for Psalm 1 says, ‘Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly‘; which reversed is, Blessed is the man who walks in the counsel of the godly.’ ‘I like to hang around older Christians, who have so much to teach me.’

Prayer is a real ministry. My husband and I pray three times daily for our children and grand children: and for those young people who may have no Christian parents to pray for them. We pray for them, as for our family, because we owe much to those who have prayed for our children over many years. When these young people share their problems and joys with us, we are privileged to be spiritual grand parents to these babes in Christ.

Look for these young people in your church; invite them to your home; encourage them; pray with them; loan them choice books. Adopt a family whose parents are interstate, or may have lost their parents. Approach them: they are shy and reticent.

Older folk are responsible to teach younger ones. In writing to Titus, Paul counselled, ‘ Older, holy women are to teach the younger women.’ Recognising that the elderly are mature, Paul wrote to Timothy,’ Those things you have heard of me…commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.’

Teaching the scriptures is richly rewarding, as is making disciples under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Ask the Lord specifically to give you one person to teach the treasures of His Word. Many churches unwisely compound the generation gap, denying opportunity for young to meet with the old, who have amassed a wealth of experience, learned countless lessons, having tried and proved the ways of the Lord.

Why not arrange a ladies (or men’s group) when the older women share their life’s experiences with younger women. When a young man visited us, we related some of God’s miraculous, material provisions during my husband’s post-war 6 year medical course, when with 4 children we lived on $12 weekly. For example, one night we put out the milk can (before cartons), out of the blue finding two shillings on the verandah post, when our purse was empty. ‘I did not know you had needs like that,’ responded the young man. ’Tell me more. You oldies have much to teach.’

Young people should hear a dear widow’s testimony, when her husband was killed in Victoria 11 years ago, and the Lord promised He would relieve her sadness, and give grace for every trial. Truly, He has kept His promise, sustained her all these years, while her two dear children have married dedicated Christians. Her cup of joy is full to the brim. My tears flowed with this joyful testimony.

Young people are encouraged with the friendship of mature, older Christians. It is rewarding to share the goodness of the Lord or explain a scripture portion, either at the kitchen table or in the lounge.

This will enrich lonely people when they help someone this way. Make your home available; pray and invite friends; and the Lord will open for you a rewarding, fruitful ministry.

A nineteen -year-old musician pleaded for an hour of personal, bible study weekly in our home. We agreed. She saturated herself in intensive studies for three years, joying in the precious truth; marking her study bible freely. Her post-graduate flautist studies have taken her to Europe, where she will translate these internet studies into the Italian language. She shares her faith in her Lord with those who need the gospel, while sitting at the feet of her Lord, drinking in the treasures.

Sow the seed of God’s word and He will give the harvest to glorify the Lord.

Are you bearing fruit in your old age?