God Speaking

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”

(Ecclesiastes 3: 1)

Just recently while reading a writer’s observations on a Bible passage, I came across a phrase that not only caught my eye, but immediately intrigued me and set me thinking of the depth of meaning behind it. The phrase was, The winter of old age.  I certainly qualify to be classified as being, in the world’s eyes, old, and at first the phrase depressed me a little, then I remembered what was written in Ecclesiastes and the message behind those words encouraged me to live this season of my life even though it is the winter, with all the activity I can and still glorify God in any way I can

Life is of course, like the four seasons of the year. The Spring brings new birth and we begin the ordained life set before us. In Summer we are in full bloom, Autumn, we have grown wiser and not so foolhardy, yet the Winter can be a very satisfying and rewarding time of our lives as well!

Solomon left this wise message for his son and all of us to strive for;

 “Grey hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16: 31)

Unfortunately, our modern generation sees the aim of life is to stay perpetually young to keep the blush of youth. The media perpetuates this by offering face lifts, tummy tucks, colour rinses to take away any grey hair. Old age is something to dread, not something to look forward to. Scripture sees it differently. Old age can be respected by the youth when they realise what the grey hair can represent;

“The glory of young men is their strength, grey hair the splendour of the old.” (Proverbs 20: 29)

Job reminds his friends;

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring about understanding?” (Job 12: 12)

We old people need to remember that we can be an example to the young people in our lives, so they don’t see crabby, complaining, elders, constantly bemoaning their loss of youth, always talking about what life used to be like, instead exhibiting the joy it is to know the Lord and allow them to see old age is not something to fear, but something to embrace. Psalm 92 has a beautiful passage which promises this will happen if we walk closely with the Lord Jesus Christ

“The righteous will flourish like the palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon, planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright, he is my Rock and there is no wickedness in him.” (Psalm 92: 12 – 15)