Barnabas Ministries UK

                                   Rev. K. W. Munday

WORD STUDIES

Word Studies is presented by Rev. K. W. Munday, retired minister and former General Secretary of Assemblies of God for many years. He has served the body of Christ with grace and distinction, is an excellent, quality preacher and speaker, broadcaster, writer of books and still active in Christian service. His contributions here on Word Studies should prove a great means of blessing, inspiration and instruction. 

ELDERLY

There are a lot of them about and the over -65 group are increasing in proportion to the rest of the population. Their care too has become quite an industry and a problem.

The Jews divided old age into three categories. From 60-70 was regarded as the beginning of old age. From 70-80 was the ‘time of the grey head’, and in plus were the advanced years. We used to be called old-age pensioners but now have gained the dignity of being known as senior citizens.

The Elderly have reached a special phase in life, having experienced quite a slice of it: The beautiful and the ugly; the nice and the nasty. Youth having long since gone with all its dreams, fantasies and ambitions gives the impression of a room when the Christmas decorations have been taken down. One faces reality and the rose-coloured spectacles have been discarded and possibly replace with bifocals.

Retirement can be enjoyed, provided one’s health is fairly good – A release from the daily grind or rat race. Time to have a real holiday and visit places that were only names on the map. Sample those unread books or take up a new hobby. Did you know that Beethoven wrote a symphony when he was 57? Reagan became USA president in his 70s. Samuel Johnson was still working at 68, Tennyson learned to paint at 70, Moses got going at 80, and John Wesley was still preaching at 86!

Ill-health however can alter things, when the faculties are not so keen, mobility is restricted and care is needed. In any case, one must recognise the situation and slacken the pace as we recognise our limitations.

It rarely dawns on people that retirement is not the same for the lady of the house. There is the story of a salesman who had a line for retired people and when he kicked on one door he asked if a retired couple lived there. The lady, with a twinkle in her eye said: ‘No, a retired man does, and I’m his wife!’ So there must be some sharing at some point.

When I retired my wife suggested that I should learn to cook but l thought it might not improve domestic relations if I became a super-chef so l didn’t think l should risk it. If any of my readers think I should, please don’t write or phone!

The last years of life should be lived out with dignity which will mean giving heed to one’s spiritual needs, and we need not fear death if we know the Lord. There will be grace to be found at such a time. There is a story of an old Scots lady who never dared to visit Edinburgh because of the railway tunnels, but there came a day when important business demanded her presence there. Reluctantly she took  the joumey and as the train neared the city she became more and more nervous and fell asleep. When she awoke, she was in Edinburgh! “Or in living or in dying all . . . . . . . must be well”.