FINISHING WELL

Now also when I am old

and grayheaded,

O God, do not forsake me,

until I declare Your strength

to this generation.

Psalm 71:18

With years, come a lot of history. I don't mean going into space, or the discovery of an unknown country. My history is as practical and American as most folks my age. I grew up in a time when it was almost a shock if an adult lived much beyond 65 years of age. In that area, we've come a long way with improved medical/medicine findings. There are, however, older folks who have lived to be 90, but they quit living around age 65. Thus, years of just existing seem to be for nothing no matter how much medicine one takes.

Brian and I have been members of several churches, many because of work transfers. We came to know godly men who were wonderful preachers. I have come to know outstanding women in those years who were deacon's wives, choir members, Sunday school teachers, etc. There were so many of them I watched as I sought to grow in my faith and service for the Lord.

Sadly, it came to be known that some of those folks who had faithfully served God for so many years, fell into deep sin when they had many more years to serve. They usually fell to the top three situations....money, sex or pride. Pastors who had wonderful ministries for 40 or more years, fell into sin and their testimonies ruined. The sad part of that is that no matter how wonderfully their ministries had been, in their latter years, people will usually recall only their fall into sin. This isn't just a problem for folks in leadership in a church. Lay people often go through the same process.

In the aging process, not a single one of us can afford to let up, become vulnerable to the wiles of Satan. Our older years are not a time to give up or ease up but to get up for the Lord. Many times a senior person will let up on Bible study and even church attendance, using age as an excuse for not being faithful to the things of God. We of age should be even more of an influence in the lives of others. Hopefully, when we pass from this life, folks will lovingly remember our faithfulness to God down to the the very minute we stepped into Heaven. May we finish well, leaving sweet memories of our love and faithfulness. May each of us no matter our age, finish well.

Father, keep us faithfully serving You as Your Holy Spirit empowers and teaches us. May we see each day as an opportunity to be an influence for You in the lives of others. In Jesus' name..Amen