Aging Biblically
Blessed Are the Gray of Hair
(Along with the Rest of Us)
“Grey Hair is their crown of glory.”
Proverbs 16:30
“The glory of youth is their strength
But the beauty of the aged is their grey hair.”
Proverbs 20:29
“You shall rise before the gray-headed and honor the aged,
And you shall fear your God, I am the lord.”
Leviticus 19:32
Young men in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders
And all of you clothe your selves with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud but gives Grace to the humble.
I Peter 5:5
Now that I am in my 78th year, aging is a major life concern for me. Every day is a gift. But it may unfortunately contain some new ache, pain or health problem. This is complicated for me because I am part of the baby-boomer generation who promised to never trust anyone over thirty.
Up until recently, age was just a number. Now it is a daily reality. I have lived more years than I have left to go. If I’m lucky, very lucky, I have ten more years. That is just 14% left.
So, I recently began researching what the Bible said about aging and rather like the idea of grey hair being a “crown of glory.” It is such a good description of FBC in spite of sensing the recent positive trend of the age of those attending Sunday morning service decreasing-ish. Our beautiful crowns of glory are quite prominent every Sunday along with some new energy.
Throughout the Biblical record it is clear that the elders of the community were to be respected. Physical strength and vitality does not eclipse that which comes with experience. At times “Been there, done that,” is a helpful guide. Though if there is a computer problem, I want some people around who are the age of my grandchildren because there are certain times “I been there and now don’t have the slightest idea” is the reality. And if some random Sunday morning, ICE shows up at our church, I want some young reinforcements. Unfortunately, I have to admit I no longer cut the intimidating figure in a physical confrontation I fantasized in my younger years especially with my crown of glory and my cane.
What the Biblical word sees clearly is that there is a role for all of us, young, old, male, female, bald or hairy, bearded or cleanshaven. Even the littlest ones who waddle their way to the front during Moment of Wonder have their place. That is provided we all keep learning not just living in the past. That includes learning new uses for pronouns and new sense of people who are in need not because of moral failure but oppression. As we age in faith and life, we respond to the call to unite in love. It is our united loving energy that really crowns the gray hair that is the real crown. And some times it takes all of us to figure out what is next.
I am learning is to accept my aging, be thankful for all these days and cope with health problems as an issue to be dealt with not an insult to my grandiose expectations that I’d live forever. It is easy to feel my best days are gone but there are soooooo many unexpected gifts in these days. I get to experience a church I never thought I’d find. I get more time with my wonderful diverse family. I get time to live alone and soothe that part of my soul. I get to wear my crown of gray (at least what is left of it) a while longer.
We live in a culture that both worships and reviles youth. Youth get worshiped for its many opportunities and remaining years. And despised it for its music (in my day) and its screens (today), and its remaining years (not that the elders are jealous or anything!!!!!!). So having a space that honors every age for its gifts is important.
In a world as divided as ours, this is a great privilege. I would not want to be in my thirties again but am happy to be in my late seventies.
And I again quote from scripture—Timothy 5:1
“Don’t be harsh or impatient with an older man, talk to him as you would to your own father, and to a younger man as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother and younger women as sisters.”
