We return to life endings. The Bible is clear, that the experiences of the elderly are not uniform in death. For Abraham there appears to be fulfillment, a satisfaction that one may find in the analysis for events of Abraham’s life, with Abraham in control to the end. For Jacob, the story ended differently with the end of life far from home, and reliant upon his younger son, Joseph, for sustenance. Moses’ life was mixed with great blessings and great disappointments. Even in his victorious death, he was not sustained to set foot in the promised-land west of Jordan. We find in these and other characters, both biblical and other historical figures, a wide range of attitudes and circumstances. We wonder about the personal situation for the Apostle John, a significant mover of history in his writings, dying as a forced recluse on a mountain. He knew his fellow Apostles had died as martyrs, an ending he would likely have preferred for himself.
None of these varieties of the end months or years tell us much about why God permits range in circumstances for his followers. We believe in the healthy spiritual lives of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel or John. The story might well be extended, becoming something of elevation in the first martyr, Stephen, (Acts 7:60). Church history offers extended stories of the deaths of Christians. Foxe’s, Book of Martyrs is a classic. Friends of mine in the past have died healthy/young as martyrs, and old as physically decrepit. No matter what the circumstances, only a few found any bitterness in what natural life afforded them, for their spiritual journey. On occasion resolution was quite different than most devout thoughtful Christians would have it. Jim Elliott, missionary martyr in South America, made famous after death by the story written by his wife, Elizabeth, determined that he would leave his declining years to God, and to those who would care for him, so that he could renounce any concern for financial safety, and proceed to ministry. I knew well both Jim and Betty as classmates, and do not doubt their resolution, looking askance of plan for their closing years. Jim died young, and Elizabeth lived long with family and ministry – no complaints. Her life was victorious and contributing until fading memory contributed to life’s close.
The point is made that there is no one pattern that fits all. However, in my observation, those pleased with their closing years as elders, held some personal philosophy in mind in life projections when they were younger. The faults I sometimes found were that some persons whose lives were in Christian ministry, ministering unto others, could not, in their declining years, accept being ministered unto. They lost in physical decline, an attended loss of public acceptance for ministry, but could not give up the habits they had followed. Some dropped out, even in their identity with the church. Some became fault-finders in that foreign (cultural) factors had changed church life for them. In this last they were often correct about uncertain change, but failed to note the improvements that may have countered what was lost. In my time the decline of public prayer in the church and music style has been a substantial loss for me. At the same time the daily ministry of the evangelical church has expanded in mission. Churches are now commonly open every day for some ministry. The church is serving human needs better than ever in society. Current church members will do well to review programs to discover if the social responsibility has replaced, rather than come along side of, the spiritual responsibility. Studies show that Christians are not as well informed about church life, Scripture, and deeper spiritual life as formerly. In exchanges with some leading poll takers, favorable to the evangelical church, (as was the eminent George Gallup), I found they wondered about statistics and warned about losses, but were also well acquainted with improvements. The happiest elders I have known have related in retirement to their families; remain independent in their homes as long as they can; like to care for themselves; appreciate communication with family members and friends; do not want luxury, but to live comfortably not to excess; and, they usually like to enjoy some action but reduced scheduled activity. They would like to know they are not patronized, and their opinions are valued. They learned to abide in faith in Christ, with greatest influence through prayer. (Luke 2:25-38) (Asaph, the musician was concerned over the matter of aging in Psalm 77) *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020