Live as to be Missed. – Robert Murray M’Cheyne

What kind of old person do you want to be?

That question isn’t designed to describe where you want to live in your older years? It’s not focused on whether your finances will be adequate? The question has to do with the more important concerns of character, personality and a style of being? 

Can I make some sober observations? For most, the senior citizen years aren’t considered attractive ones. Though we know many seniors, the list of those we want to emulate is alarmingly short, sometimes even in the Church and among Christ-followers.  

That’s true for a myriad of reasons. Some drift into self-centeredness. Others become impatient and cynical, especially toward the next generation. Some let the later years sour them into becoming grumpy and petty. Though Grumpy Old Men was a comedy, it’s not funny when it’s real. Then, many simply live in the past and are out of touch because they no longer lean forward into the future, particularly God’s future. 

A senior who is someone to imitate has little to do with accomplishments, achievements or success as we often define it. It has much more to do with character, attitude, and normal words or communication.  

During our Christmas celebrations, we often overlook two godly senior saints, Simeon and Anna, who were present at Jesus’ baby dedication in Luke 2. I’d have loved to have hung around those two. By God’s grace, I want to be like Anna and Simeon. I hope you do too! 

Anna: the Senior Saint filled with hope.

Anna was a longtime widow. After just seven years of marriage, her husband died. She’d been a widow for so long that she was no longer identified with her husband but with her father, Phanuel. Back then, girls typically married in their teens. Had she married at fifteen, she would have become a widow at 22 after living with a husband seven years from her virginity. According to most translations, she was 84 when she met Baby Jesus. Most women who were widowed so young would have been actively seeking for another man to marry. Anna, instead, devoted her love and whole life to the service of the Lord. 

Anna had experienced great sorrow yet still trusted God. Frequently, those who’ve experienced the suffering Anna did frequently slip into depression. They lose sight of the hope found in Christ’s promises of comfort and eternal life. Or they succumb to anger towards God and others, leading to bitterness. Lastly, they may surrender to self-pity and isolation. They sit and soak in their own misery, rather than serving the Lord or investing in the lives of others. 

There is no retirement program for the Christ-follower in this life. Anna was very old. There’s always ministry to do even for those who are far along in years. She spent her time in prayer, praise, and in proclaiming truth about the Messiah. What a wonderful way to invest in one’s latter years. She was an encourager in the things of the Lord. 

A senior saint friend would spend Saturdays calling shut-ins to encourage them. That was Anna. She wasn’t waiting for the grave; she was looking for the coming Savior! 

Later years don’t change the mission.Anna had the privilege of being used by the Spirit. Luke specifically calls her a prophetess. She had the opportunity to tell others in the temple that Mary’s baby was the One for whom Israel waited. When was the last time that you told someone about Jesus? If you don’t share Him now, it’s doubtful you’ll share Him later. 

Simeon: the Senior Saint filled with godliness.

Simeon is described as “righteous and devout.” Righteous describes his relationship with other people. He was on good terms with others. He treated them with respect and kindness. He was fair and just, behaving graciously toward others. 

He was also devout. He was devoted to God and a God-fearing man. He honored the Lord in his worship, through his prayers, and throughout his daily life. His vertical relationship with God was as it should be.

Senior saints must be an example for others. Are you an example for others? Simeon was. Are your relationships in a good state – both vertically (with God) and horizontally (with others)? While we can’t control how others respond to us, we’re responsible to God for how we respond to them (Romans 12:18). Are our relationships with others what they should be before God? 

Too often as we age, our loved ones endure us rather than enjoy us. That happens when we’re self-focused, grumbling or petty. It happens when we constantly talk about ourselves. God’s love though shines through us as we listen, show interest and concern for others. Instead of sharing our story, we listen to theirs…and everyone has a story that they want to share.

Senior saints who’ve won a hearing should lovingly share God’s truth. A spiritually wise senior has the opportunity to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). What Simeon says is not all sweetness and light. He warns Mary of the coming pain her Son would bring to her. 

Many parents have had their souls pierced. It usually happens when your adult child lets you down in a big way. Those disappointments hurt deeply. But that’s not why Mary was stabbed in the heart. Her soul was pierced when she saw her Son nailed to the cross for the sins of others. That’s what it cost Jesus, it’s what it cost her…for our salvation to be won by His cross.

But it was God-planned pain. Godly seniors can sometimes see a direction of those we love who are younger that will bring soul piercing for them. It’s not temporal stuff like a job or parenting style. It’s when a biblical worldview or ethic are being missed. It’s when the stuff of this dying world is being pursued but what matters is being overlooked. One can be a big splash in this world and a huge loser in the next one. As we have the opportunity, we have a responsibility to warn those we care for and love.

God doesn’t see our age as an obstacle to doing great things for His Kingdom. Both Simeon and Anna were beyond the age that society sees as productive years, yet they continued to worship and serve God even in their latter years. Please never think you’re too old to make a difference, an eternal one. You’re still here. That means God isn’t finished with you yet.

Simeon and Anna were around to announce the birth of our Lord when He came the first time. We’re here in our time to tell everyone about the salvation Jesus brought to this world through His death, burial, and resurrection. And we must warn others that one day Jesus will return, not as a baby but as a King and Judge. 

This world doesn’t need more grumpy seniors. It needs more gracious, godly ones! May we stay faithful no matter how long we still have, and may we faithfully serve the Savior until He calls us Home!