Residing In Oldsville | Northstar Church

Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you” – Deuteronomy 32:7.

Having children was the ultimate game-changer and even though I treasured every moment with my children, they are now grown and don’t need me to survive or thrive. As a result, I find myself standing and watching from the sidelines now. It would seem we can turn that page of our life…but can we?

The Bible would seem to suggest the answer is no. We are treasured by God at every age. Not only that, but He gives us specific gifts to share with the world in every season of our lives. For example, in Titus 2:3-5, Paul reminds the older women of that fact: “Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. …Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands…” The new generation depends on those of us who are older to share what God has given us. And that includes the family.

So what are you doing with all the wisdom and experiences you’ve accumulated over the years? It’s true that you can be wise at any age, but there’s something about reaching age fifty and up, that allows for wisdom. Yes, we still have a lot to learn and yes, we will still make missteps but we still can use what we have already learned to help others make sense of what doesn’t make sense to them at this point in our lives. We can help them see what they can’t see at this early stage of their lives.

In addition, accumulated life experiences and insight give a new perspective when reading scripture. The Bible has always rung true for me, but as I get older the better I understand why it rings true to me. Rather than dwell on what God didn’t do the older I get, the more I dwell on what God has done.

So as we get older, I hope we bridge the family gap between the generations by giving access to our lifetime database of knowledge, insight, and wisdom. Growing older does not necessarily mean growing irrelevant. In fact, giving back to the family and others may be the segue to your best years ever.

Similar to money, wisdom is a resource God asked us to steward. If we waste wisdom, it is worthless; but if we use it for good and God’s glory, it can change lives.

Discussion Questions:

What is one way you could use the knowledge you’ve been given to impact the world around you?
What wisdom could you share with your loved ones?