Thy faithfulness continues to all generations. Psalm 119:90

(They) who have clean hands and  pure hearts…such is the generation of those who seek Him. Psalm 24: 4, 6

“Let us be a generation of those who seek Him.” Charlie Hill

“I have a prayer request,” said the white-haired woman sitting in her wheelchair toward the back of the room. “I want to be useful.” Those five words – “I want to be useful” – hung in the air for a moment, and then there was a chorus of affirmation coming from others in the room. “Me, too, I want to do something meaningful with the life I have left.” “There is nothing worse than feeling useless.” “I want to find work to do for Jesus.”

Driving home from the retirement center, I was startled with the rush of thoughts and emotions. I am twenty years younger than most of these women, but I understood exactly what they were saying. I want to be productive for the Master, too.

As an older adult, I found myself rehearsing the perceived slights I sometimes feel in our good Bible-based church. They don’t want us… they think they have all the answers.. they are just waiting for us to go away… they have no appreciation of what worship looks like for us… they don’t respect our contributions… they, they, they.

Then, just as quickly, the Spirit of God moved me to confession and repentance. My whining attitude began responding to the tender chiding of the Lord. My unsettled spirit began settling down as I began thinking about what it meant to be a ‘generation of faith.’ Dad used to say that repentance was the “Rolaids of the soul.” And I was starting to feel the relief.

“What about you, Brenda?”

“Well, what about me, Lord?”

“Are you living in community? Are you exemplifying a generation who seeks after Me?”

Charlie Hill’s adaptation of Psalm 24 includes all of us, not just the ‘praise music’ generation.

“He means us, not just my kids or grandkids.” Over and over it strikes me, “He means us.”

The words aren’t in the past tense. We aren’t to look back on our years of faith, achievement, sacrifice, devotion, and contribution. No, we aren’t to look back on those any more than we are to look back on the years of idleness, unrighteousness, self-centeredness, fear, and greed. Looking back with prideful glee or profound grief is both unbiblical and unacceptable.

I so often say to my grandson, “That is unacceptable behavior.”  It seemed the Lord was saying to me, “This thinking, this separation, this bitterness, this detachment is unacceptable behavior.”

Where does the ‘30-something’ church live in community with the 60, 70, and 80 somethings? This isn’t an easy question, but it is demanding an answer. Here are some observations. Hopefully, they will lead to solutions.

1) Confession, not recrimination is required behavior. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3, 4

Honor, respect, and love are to exemplify our fellowship with one another. When preferences and prejudices separate us, they block the Spirit’s flow. How much better to gather together in a time of confession and repentance before “action steps” are devised. Lifting hands, not pointing fingers should be our aim. This is not about ‘how to,’ but ‘Who to.’

2) Ministry, not activity is desired behavior. “Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim. I box in such a way, as not beating the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:26

Keeping busy isn’t the goal. Being an ‘active older adult’ sells retirement center space, but it doesn’t forward the cause of Christ. We are called to be contributing members of the body of Christ by exercising our spiritual gifts. And these gifts do not have a date stamp on them…they don’t sour like milk, or spoil like meat. The day we die is their expiration date, not one minute before.

3) Engagement, not entertainment is rewired behavior. “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” 1 Timothy 6:18

“I want to be useful.”

Her words weren’t “I want another field trip, water painting class, potluck meal, or book review.”  She wants her soul satisfied through spiritual work. The programs are not wrong; they are just incomplete. Dessert is wonderful (especially if it’s chocolate!) but it won’t fuel a truly productive life. We must eliminate the “we’ve paid our dues” attitude and commit our time, talent, and treasure to Kingdom work.

The call is for a generation of those who know God’s faithfulness from age to age…and who will respond with hope, truth, energy, and zeal. By Brenda Smith.

 

© 2008 Brenda A. Smith BWF Project, Inc.