“They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”
I’m seventy years old. I feel vibrant, healthy, and strong. I am just as motivated today as I was at twenty-five. Although I've collected a few new pains and pounds, I (think, but am not certain) my mind is sharper and I have many years of experience I can readily apply to almost any endeavor. I am still ‘driven scriven’ with a compelling desire to excel.
In reality I am no longer twenty-five. I have less life to live than I did back then and less life left than I have previously spent. I can never resurrect lost time. I cannot turn back even a few pages of history and recapture old opportunities. I could do life better as a twenty-five year old with seventy years of experience. But I’ll never have chance to prove it. I had my time. While I cannot reverse the clock, I can shift my focus... from performer to coach, from minister to equipper, from young man to father.
There are many men younger than me who need a spiritual father. Might I assist some of them to better serve their family, business, church, and community?
Fifty year old Levites in the time of Moses were forced to retire. They could no longer “do the work.” But their lives of service were not over. Aging Levites were expected to “assist their [younger] brothers in… duties at the Tent of Meeting.” I hope to be an effective believer until the day I die. I am seventy and, if I follow in the footsteps of Moses, I may only have another strong fifty years left...
“Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his
eyesight was perfect and he was as strong as a young man.”
Deuteronomy 34.7 ~ The Living Bible
With advancing years comes the growing suspicion that my effectiveness will be measured less by how well I served my church, family, community, and nation, and more by how well I assisted others to serve their church, family, community, and nation.
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"Telemachus and Mentor" is an illustration by Pablo E. Fabisch from Fenelon's les Aventures de Télémaque, 1699. Image in the public domain.
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2 comments:
I remember that I once thought 50 was old. Like you the body might be slowing me down a bit, but not so my mind, and I have a desire to keep it that way. ONe of the people I call upon for wisdom is closing in on 80, sharp as a tack, funnny. One of the people I don't call upon is closing in on 76 , he is physically able but, he decided he was old adn he had learned all there was to learn. I daily speak with a brother who is 60 , who takes life on at full speed and challenges my thought and understanding. I do not get involved in converstation with a family member who at 28 is focused only on themself. I do speak with a man of 32 who thinks I can offer him sound advice, but who sets a life style example that a lot of people should follow.
I think the key here is the attitude. I just left word over at This Walk, that perhaps she would be better off not counting trouble. It is wearisom and seems to be heavier than blessing.
I guess you're right. A young man can have the gift of wisdom beyond his years. And, I too have known older men who never grew up. I myself actually reverted for a period of time back to adolescence. You might say I suffered from midolescence in my 40's. Even that was a necessary part of my maturing process.
I certainly hope my life will count for something greater than myself. That's my hope in Christ.
Thanks Larry for stimulating more thought and growth in me.
Dave
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