Reflection 18 and

through deep waters of suffering, failure and bereavement can provide resources of wisdom to pass on.

SERVANTS OF GOD

In 2 Corinthians the apostle Paul outlines a series of setbacks and sufferings. The words are a note in a season to those who are older: ‘Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day’ (4:16). The role of older people in our corps can prophetically counter any obsession with outward things. Whatever they might happen to be in a local context – buildings, programmes, budgets, etc – we need those who go before us to show us how it can be done with grace and humility.

AMBASSADORS OF THE LIFELONG JOURNEY

Investing in the next generation through deep intergenerational friendships in a society increasingly segmented by age can seem to be unusual. But Christian history shows the profound importance of intergenerational friendships in

OLDER RADICALS

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Ordinary but radical people living in later life are peppered throughout the Bible. Here are three examples:

ANNA AND SIMEON

Joseph and Mary go to the Temple with Jesus, their first-born son (see Luke 2).

Simeon had been told by the Spirit that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah. He was the first Jew to recognise who Jesus was.

Anna dedicated her life to fasting and prayer. She knew Jesus was no ordinary baby and immediately told everyone the good news. She was the first witness for Christ.

The first public presentation of Jesus was in the presence of two older people. Understanding that God’s timeline was not theirs, they never gave up hope.

LOIS AND EUNICE

Timothy’s faith came from his godly mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (see 2 Timothy).

Lois and Eunice sound like a couple of women who might be members of our lunch club or over-60 club. In fact, that is exactly who they could be. And that makes them important to the story of God’s Kingdom.

God has put such people in our lives. It is a gift to love and walk with one another and soak up the blessings that flow across all generations.

RUTH AND NAOMI

Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, decided to return to her home country after her husband and two sons died (see Ruth).

The logical thing for the widowed Ruth to do was to go home to her family, but she felt a conviction to go with Naomi to a foreign land. It turned out well. Ruth married a wealthy Hebrew and bore a son, Obed, who went on to be the grandfather of King David.

Ruth’s wisdom is a reminder that if we love others, it’s hard to go wrong.

Read the full Bible study, including questions for discussion and reflection, at salvationist.org.uk/devotions

growing the next generation of disciples. The Spanish philosopher Unamuno reminds us we have a choice of ‘seeing life from the balcony’ looking at life as spectators or else we choose to ‘live on the road’ as pilgrims making progress.

REFLECTORS OF PRAYER AND PURPOSE

As a younger person I was so grateful and moved knowing there were older saints who were praying faithfully for me. The challenge for those of us who are older is to take up that role for the next generation. Paradoxically, as the opportunities open to us start to narrow down, we can discover afresh the wonder of simply being alive and the smaller and frequently ignored blessings of creation, family and friendship.

ANDREW WILEMAN

Assistant Director of Older People’s Services THQ