In his 90s evangelist Billy Graham
wrote about the challenges of aging in Nearing Home. The title is a reference
to approaching death
and to looking forward to being with God and loved ones
who are already with Him in heaven.
That thread runs through the book, Graham’s focus is on living as an
old person in this time and this world. Old age can and
should be a time of purposeful
living as much as any other stage of life. This is because of as much as in
spite of the difficulties.
Graham did not shy away from the difficulties of aging. Our bodies lose
strength. Our memories
weaken. Ache, pains and illnesses
beset us. More friends
and family we have loved a long time pass away.
Graham encouraged his readers to prepare for aging and death some of
this is practical advice for handling affairs in this world. Get your finances
in order. Put documents together so your wishes will be know and followed if
you are incapacitated. Wisely consider when to retire and
what it will mean to leave the work
world you are accustomed to for something new, though possibly even more
meaningful.
Don’t let old age slip up on you. In addition to preparing for worldly
concerns, it is especially important to lay a good foundation in Christ. As Graham
put it, “God designs transitions and provides the grace to embrace what
follows.”
Older people have important parts to play. Retirement can give you the
time to be engaged in your family, church
and community
in a way you could not have pursued while working full time. You can encourage
other because you remember many times when God has demonstrated His love, faithfulness
and power in
your life. You can set an example of aging with dignity and grace, even if it
seems like no one is paying attention.
As I wrote this review of Nearing
Home, I heard of the passing of Delores
O’Riordan. In enjoyed the music
of her band, The
Cranberries, at the peak of their popularity about 20 years ago. I was
young; I had little money and few responsibilities in those days. I should have
enjoyed them more than I did. O’Riordan died at the age of 46; we were the same
age. That is too young to die in my opinion.
At any age, we may be nearer to death than we know, for the Christian
nearer home. Even if we are still young, or see ourselves as young, it is wise
to consider that an in to this life is coming, and many years of aging may come
before it. We should consider how to be ready for aging and death and how to
leave a legacy, a good example, we will want to leave.
If you’re interested in this book, you may also be interested in
Graham, Billy. Nearing Home:
Life, Faith, and Finishing Well. Nashville,
TN: Thomas
Nelson, 2011.
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