“There is nothing wrong with travel or vacation, but spending our last decades on perpetual vacation is inconsistent with the gospel,” William P. Farley wrote in in his blog post titled “Even to old age and gray hairs.”
In the words of Sam Storms, “The call to obedience, fruitfulness, holiness, witness, learning, leading, prayer, and worship is lifelong. It ends only when life does…But the call of Scripture…is to live as fully as possible for God’s glory until one’s dying breath.”
“Despite the passing of decades, one challenge hasn’t changed. The world is fallen, relationships can be fractured, and extended family members can be selfish, greedy, insensitive, or uncaring. The world is not what it’s supposed to be,” Farley added.
He is absolutely correct. In fact, I’d say God challenges us to show a different way to live. People of all ages, not just our grandchildren, are asking themselves, “Is there a better way?”
This summer, while visiting my older grandchildren, it seemed all they wanted to do was play with my cell phone whenever I came to their home. I tried in vain to get them to join me in walking in the woods or just enjoy being outside, but they wanted nothing to do with that.
That’s a shame. I learned early in my life that being outdoors was therapeutic. It was a place where stress could melt away and my imagination could run wild. I don’t know what type of release our children have today that is equally as beneficial.
There is no question that the world is changing rapidly and spinning much more quickly today than it did even 20 years ago. Consequently, our own children are often left bewildered and confused as the world and culture continues spiraling out of control.
Rather than join the endless chorus of voices proclaiming gloom, doom, fear and panic, Farley said we have a unique opportunity and a duty to show the world an alternative.
Besides passion for Christ, humility, and wisdom, grandparenting is an opportunity to exemplify hope, he wrote.
“Life is short. Decades of experience have taught you this in ways that your children and grandchildren do not yet understand. They need to see you, not living in the past, but looking to a “building from God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
“Our decades of past experience will tempt us to live there, but God wants us to live in the future. “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14).
Now, more than ever, our children and especially our grandchildren need to know there is a different way of living — one that is peaceful, less anxious and unchanging. It’s up to us to point the way to that life.
“Don’t be intimidated by today’s emphasis on youth. Yes, you are slowing down,” Farley asked. “Yes, your memory isn’t what it used to be, but don’t forget that Noah began his life’s work at age 600; Abraham conceived Isaac at age 100; Caleb inherited Hebron at age 85, and the widow; Anna, serving in the temple day and night, prophesied over baby Jesus at age 84. It’s not over till it’s over”
His full article can be found at www.williampfarley.com.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.