AGEING WITH GRACE

Ageing is a gift from God and it is a natural process in life that affects all humans from birth till death.

It is a process of growing and becoming older. The effects of ageing are in different forms and these effects vary greatly from person to person.

Grace is also a gift from God and is defined as unmerited favour, love and kindness of God toward humanity despite our sinfulness and shortcomings. It is a divine gift that cannot be earned through good works but is freely given by God.

Ageing with grace is growing and maturing in age with the favour, love and kindness of God. It means staying physically healthy, and having a sound mind.It means growing and maturing in a manner that God desires, growing in biblical knowledge and in the wisdom of God and attaining spiritual maturity. It is having the right and positive attitude towards ageing and embracing it.

If God has been gracious to one by the gift of ageing with grace, it should not be taken for granted.

He expects us to use the gift wisely and profitably. As we age with grace, God expects us to be bearing fruit and to be flourishing. Evidence of God’s grace in someone who is ageing with grace is to be bearing fruit and to stay fresh and green.Ps92:14. The Lord has promised to bless us with long life and in addition, His salvation, which is by grace. Ps 91:16. 

I likened it to The Parable of the Talents as told by Jesus where he emphasizes the importance of using one’s gift wisely to produce a return because it is given for a purpose. Matt 25:14-30. So God expects us to be bearing fruit as we age with grace, to be knowledgeable in the word of God, to spread the good news and evangelize, and be a  role model to the younger ones and to impact them positively and guide them towards spiritual maturity. And awaiting the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and be heavenly focused.

When you are ageing with grace, you carry honour along with it and you are tailored towards responsibility. People in this category are sometimes referred to as elders in some congregations or in some Assemblies of God’s children.They occupy a place of honour and responsibility and as a result they must be clothed with humility and be good examples by all standards.

Paul the apostle actually appealed to such group to be shepherds of God’s flock. 1Peter 5:1-2.

Brethren, because you cannot age with grace by your own might or power, you are therefore admonished to honour the giver of grace by walking uprightly before him so that you can continue to enjoy his grace and glory. It is pertinent to leave a good legacy behind since we are in transit on earth.You are admonished to have a right attitude towards ageing, focus on eternity, letting go of vanity and the works of the flesh. Be kind to yourself by living well, eating well and at the right time, having adequate sleep, visit the hospital for regular check up, forget the past bad habits, embrace good habits, chose righteousness and be at peace with yourself and with all men as long as it depends on you . Romans 12:18. You are encouraged to do everything within your power to maintain peaceful relationships with everyone though ultimate peace is sometimes not necessarily within one’s complete control. You should not repay no one evil for evil, but overcome evil with good. You should   avoid loneliness; engage yourself in church activities and in community service and pursue the tangibles.

Finally, as you are ageing with grace, overcome the works of the flesh , consider the good legacy you want to leave behind. ‘Guard your heart with all diligence for from it flow springs of life’ Proverbs 4:23. This implies that you should protect and be watchful carefully over your thoughts and affections as these influence one’s behaviour, words and overall life direction. You should work out your salvation with fear and trembling and focus on things above. Phi 2:12. Working out your salvation is a lifelong effort to bring the salvation received  by faith to completion in daily life. You should endeavour to as much as possible pursue whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these.Phi 4:8 

 May the Lord help you.

Prayer.

Dear gracious heavenly  Father ,

Ageing and grace are gifts from you. Grant me the opportunity to age with grace, to use the gift in a worthy manner that is pleasing to you, to leave a good legacy behind and to reign with you eternally.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.