By Dr. Hal Habecker
As a pastor for over 47 years, it was quite humbling for me when I delved into 2 Peter 1:12-15 decades ago. Peter’s words are etched in my heart. The apostle Peter wrote these important words near the end of his life.
Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.
Each time I open my mouth to teach I am reminding others of God’s eternal purposes. FWM is a ministry of reminders. Our mission of “fulfilling God’s plan for our aging years” is a reminder to me of God’s work in my life, and it is a reminder to all of us. It is in that vein that I offer these 5 reminders.
REMINDER #1
I remind us that God has a divine purpose for our aging years. He ordained our years, and He has a purpose for each of us. When He ordained our years. He did not have “retirement” in mind. In fact, the first idea of “retirement” was not referenced until 1885 in Germany. The body may change and we may not have the energy we once had, but He did not plan our senior years with our cultural idea of retirement in mind.
REMINDER #2
I remind us that our senior years are critically important for God’s work. He works through older people. My friend John Maisel said it this way; “All that God has done in and through you up until this point is merely preparation for all He intends to do in you and through you going forward.” Robert Browning reminded us of the same thing in his great line, “The best is yet to be.” God reminds us that our gifts, our experiences, our prayers, our studies, our joys, and our pains are all critically important essentials through which God continues to grow us personally and through us help others to grow.
REMINDER #3
I remind us that there is a huge wave of retiring boomers adding themselves to the senior population of our country and our world. Add to this fact that younger generations are marrying later and having fewer and fewer children, seniors are quickly becoming a major force in our world. What if every aging follower of Christ in our growing retirement population had a renewed sense of vision as to how God wants to use us? What if every congregation had aspirations of all that experienced believers could add to the impact of their church and community? Remember Peter’s assessment at Pentecost that “old men [and women] will dream dreams” through the work of the Holy Spirit? Does the influence and work of the Holy Spirit diminish in our lives as we age? Is “Pentecost” for seniors finished? I don’t think so.
REMINDER #4
I remind us that we can make a difference for Christ in our aging years. The biblical examples are countless. There are examples of godly people all around us living powerful lives of faithfulness in their aging years. I think of my friend Sandy Edmonson, who at the age of 103 continually teaches and disciples younger women to follow Christ. I think of legal cases where older folks are stepping out in faith despite opposition. God honors them.
REMINDER #5
I remind us that we will not live forever. The older I get the more memorial services I either attend or officiate. Maybe that’s why I remember Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90:12. “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”