God’s Gray Hair
Sermon by Sandra M. Thomas
August 27, 2006, Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 90 (selected)
Titus 2:1-5
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had
formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
(introduction to Titus 2:1-5) The Apostle Paul had a problem. Converts to Christianity on the island of Crete were enjoying their Christian liberties a
little too much; not just the young people but those with gray hair as well! They were sitting back after dinner, with second helpings of dessert, laughing,
singing, gossiping, and who knows what else. Men and women, children and slaves, rich and poor, educated and illiterate – so happy to know Jesus it was
downright embarrassing. So when Paul left Crete, he instructed Titus to appoint elders and bring order to the fledgling church. “Fun” was not wrong, but
it was important to Paul that the church be perceived a credible and respectable in the surrounding community. In carrying out his assignment, Titus begins
at the top, with instruction for older adults.
The words sound so old: “be temperate, serious, prudent, sound in faith” “be self-controlled, chaste, kind, submissive.” Titus, a young man, is charged
with standing before the older generation and saying essentially “You’re not setting a good example and we need your leadership here!” He charges them with
conduct that will enhance the growth of the Christian community. I think it’s significant that he didn’t say: “out to the back porch with your tea and
gossip!” or “move over and let younger people have a turn” or “get out of the way--your day is over.”
Being old may allow one to opt out of the work force but it does not excuse us from the rest of life. Gray-haired Christians do go fishing now and then,
visit friends, travel, play golf, join book clubs BUT they are not entitled to retire from family, church or community. Throughout most of human history
retirement from work was not even an option. People lived fully until they died. There was no stage of life called “finished and waiting.” If you are
breathing this morning and not frail and feeble, God is calling you to life and participation.
Anticipating this opportunity I did some research in the Bible hoping to find guidance for senior adult ministry. I found lots of stories about people
growing old. But I also found that no one in the Bible dies of old age, except perhaps Isaac. Isaac, weak, blind, and bed ridden lingers at death’s door
for 20 years until his two sons Jacob and Esau settled their dispute and reunite to bury him together.
In scripture old age is a blessing, not a curse. It is something to be sought rather than avoided. Living beyond an average lifespan was regarded as a
special gift given by God for a purpose. After reading the stories of God’s old people, I’ll tell you I want to die like Abraham who breathes his last and
dies at a good old age and “full of years” (Gen. 25) or David, who dies “old and full of years.” After all his trials Job also dies “old and full of
years.” I hope no one ever says I died from “old age.” Old age is not a disease! It is a gift! I want to die “old and full of years.” All of life
should be fullness—particularly the last part – not emptiness.
John Prine reflects on old age as it too often is in a song written in 1971:
You know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every day,
Ah, but old people, they just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say,
“Hello in There. Hello.”
This is not blessing!
Some years ago, in this city of Philadelphia, there lived a woman named Margaret who said “Old age is not a disease – it is strength and survivorship,
triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointment, trials and illnesses.”
After almost 40 years of working for social justice as a national director in the United Presbyterian Church, Margaret turned 65 and was forced to
retire – “too old to work anymore.” Outraged at the prospect of spending the rest of her life playing bingo for bananas Margaret began to look for new
ways to use her skills and serve others. The General Assembly invited her to step to the podium to fill the slot of an invited speaker who, at the last
minute couldn’t get there. Before she finished a challenge to address the needs of aging adults the phone was ringing with people wanting to join her
movement.
Margaret (or Maggie as her friends called her) knew that God wasn’t finished with her yet. Gray hair or not, she was gifted, able, and eager. She knew
that God didn’t stop work at 65 and neither would she. Maggie Kuhn continued (after retirement) to work for the cause of justice, peace and inclusiveness
for people of color, for women, and for older adults. Maggie Kuhn made gray hair her emblem rather than her exit. She led the Gray Panthers through their
25th anniversary and then died – full of years, just shy of her 90th birthday.
I stand today on the border between “not yet old” and “old”, from this perspective I would like to offer some tips for those hoping to receive the gift of
old age from God. (and none of these tips have to do with plastic surgery or investments)
1. Maintain your Health. Don’t die prematurely! That is not God’s intention for you. Statistics reveal that most Americans die from self-neglect.
Eight of the top 10 killers are, to a large extent, the result of life-style choices. Whether you are six and ninety-six, your body is the temple of the
living God…you were bought with a price….you are not your own. Your life has a purpose. Failing to stay in shape, to the degree possible, thwarts God’s
plan for you.
2. Make new Friends. Making friends is a skill that we learn when we are young. We need to continue to exercise that skill throughout life. Friends
move, die, change, become a little wacky and we need to replace them with a constant influx of new friends. Nothing is better for body, mind and soul than
people you can share deep secrets with. Friends include building good relationships with adult children who need encouragement and with grandchildren who
need good listeners.
3. Accept help. Whatever your age, begin now to gracefully accept help from others. Age begins challenges and indignities that require assistance,
but the truth is – none of us, of any age, can take care of ourselves alone. Face it – embrace it – you are only human.
4. Plan an adventure for your retirement years. It’s your change to do what you always wanted to do. In retirement we have time, resources to do
something outrageous – something outrageously good. Maggie Kuhn recommended that older adults do something outrageous at least once every day. If you
are over 65 – begin your adventure!
5. Pay attention to how our community and nation care for the frail and feeble. Old age is a big business right now. It is a lucrative business and
that brings with it all the temptations of big money. My hope is that together we can infiltrate the systems for seniors in our community and begin to
raise questions about dignity, worth, respect, human rights, and spiritual well-being. By asking important questions we can make a difference for all
senior adults in our community.
6. Finally, become acquainted with our God, who is not only old but ancient. Find in our gray-haired God an eternal presence, never ceasing,
unresting, overflowing with care and concern. You’ve been the cause of some of God’s gray hairs, so you’re entitled to call on the everlasting for support,
friendship, care, wisdom. Those who receive the gift of old age are truly blessed and called. May you live in the embrace of the Ancient of Days and may
you die old and full of years. Amen.
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