Friday, December 25, 2020

Reflection - Health and Frailties - Encouraging Ageing Christians

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART IV: HEALTH AND FRAILTIES, Chapter 24, "Coming to Terms with Declining Health", Question 2, Page 162.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Reflect on Psalm 71.
Reflect on Psalm 71.
PHOTO: Reflect on Psalm 71. How do you think this psalm can encourage ageing Christians?
How can one prepare for this deterioration in health? Psalm 71 is comforting for ageing people. It echoes the feeling of growing old: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone" (Psalm 71:9). There is an awareness that natural strength is failing, and a fear that one may be forsaken and forgotten by God. But a growing relationship with God - knowing, trusting, and obeying God - makes this prayer poignant (evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret) and hopeful. "Since my youth, God, you have taught me" (Psalm 71:17).

The ageing person in Psalm 71 is full of hope in God. "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up" (Psalm 71:20). God will rescue us from pain and death, and be with us in our time of need.


Learn to pray the prayer mentioned, be convinced of the hope described, and share the views of service that can be rendered in one's senior years.
Because of his hope and prayer, the ageing person is able to make the best use of the remaining years, declaring God's power to the next generation (Psalm 71:18). "All day long", he or she will be speaking of God's goodness and righteousness (Psalm 71:15, 24), even amid the pain, weakness and uncertainty of old age.

The frailties of old age may actually be a hidden blessing. In the mid-19th century, William Mountford wrote these words:

Is your eyesight dimmer? Then the world is seen by you in cathedral light. Is your hearing duller? Then it is just as though you were always where loud voices and footsteps ought not to be heard . . . Yes, for twilight and silence . . . old age makes us like daily dwellers in the house of the Lord.

Indeed, the increasing frailty an ageing person experiences may actually serve to heighten his awareness of a reality and life beyond our normal senses. An older person whose physical senses are declining, and yet displays increasing joy and contentment, would be a great encouragement to others. We will say with the psalmist, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26).
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Reflect on Psalm 71. How do you think this psalm can encourage ageing Christians? Learn to pray the prayer mentioned, be convinced of the hope described, and share the views of service that can be rendered in one's senior years.

Reflect on Psalm 71. How do you think this psalm can encourage ageing Christians? [1]
How can one prepare for this deterioration in health? [93] Psalm 71 is comforting for ageing people. It echoes the feeling of growing old: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone" (Psalm 71:9). There is an awareness that natural strength is failing, and a fear that one may be forsaken and forgotten by God. But a growing relationship with God - knowing, trusting, and obeying God - makes this prayer poignant (evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret) and hopeful. "Since my youth, God, you have taught me" (Psalm 71:17).


Psalm 71 is comforting for ageing people.
PHOTO: "Since my youth, God, you have taught me" (Psalm 71:17).
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The ageing person in Psalm 71 is full of hope in God. "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up" (Psalm 71:20). God will rescue us from pain and death, and be with us in our time of need.


The ageing person in Psalm 71 is full of hope in God.
PHOTO: The ageing person in Psalm 71 is full of hope in God. "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up" (Psalm 71:20). God will rescue us from pain and death, and be with us in our time of need.
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Learn to pray the prayer mentioned, be convinced of the hope described, and share the views of service that can be rendered in one's senior years. [1]
Because of his hope and prayer, the ageing person is able to make the best use of the remaining years, declaring God's power to the next generation (Psalm 71:18). "All day long", he or she will be speaking of God's goodness and righteousness (Psalm 71:15, 24), even amid the pain, weakness and uncertainty of old age.


Because of his hope and prayer, the ageing person is able to make the best use of the remaining years, declaring God's power to the next generation (Psalm 71:18).
PHOTO: Because of his hope and prayer, the ageing person is able to make the best use of the remaining years, declaring God's power to the next generation (Psalm 71:18).
Picture posted by Fachverband der Versicherungsmakler on 22 September 2020 at 08:50 pm
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The frailties of old age may actually be a hidden blessing. In the mid-19th century, William Mountford wrote these words:

Is your eyesight dimmer? Then the world is seen by you in cathedral light. Is your hearing duller? Then it is just as though you were always where loud voices and footsteps ought not to be heard . . . Yes, for twilight and silence . . . old age makes us like daily dwellers in the house of the Lord. [94]


William Mountford wrote these words:
PHOTO: William Mountford wrote these words:
"Is your eyesight dimmer? Then the world is seen by you in cathedral light. Is your hearing duller? Then it is just as though you were always where loud voices and footsteps ought not to be heard . . . Yes, for twilight and silence . . . old age makes us like daily dwellers in the house of the Lord."
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Indeed, the increasing frailty an ageing person experiences may actually serve to heighten his awareness of a reality and life beyond our normal senses. An older person whose physical senses are declining, and yet displays increasing joy and contentment, would be a great encouragement to others. We will say with the psalmist, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26).


Increasing frailty an ageing person experiences may actually serve to heighten his awareness of a reality and life beyond our normal senses.
PHOTO: Increasing frailty an ageing person experiences may actually serve to heighten his awareness of a reality and life beyond our normal senses. An older person whose physical senses are declining, and yet displays increasing joy and contentment, would be a great encouragement to others. We will say with the psalmist, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26).
Picture posted by Veronicaneli on 22 August 2018
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Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we learn that Psalm 71 can encourage ageing Christians and prepare us for deterioration in health.

Psalm 71 is comforting for ageing people like us. It echoes the feeling of growing old: ‘Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone’. There is an awareness that natural strength is failing, and a fear that one may be forsaken and forgotten by God.

Lord, help us to have a growing relationship with God by knowing, trusting, and obeying Him, so that this prayer will be poignant and hopeful. Especially ‘Since my youth, God, you have taught me’.

Help us to be like the ageing person in Psalm 71 who is full of hope in God. ‘Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up’.

Lord, rescue us from pain and death, and be with us in our time of need. Because of this hope and prayer, we, the ageing person will be able to make the best use of the remaining years, and declaring God's power to the next generation. ‘All day long’, we will be speaking of God's goodness and righteousness, even amid the pain, weakness and uncertainty of old age.

Please turn the frailties of our old age into a hidden blessing. We want to see the world in cathedral light, and be where loud voices and footsteps ought not to be heard. The physical presence of the world will symbolises both the glory of God and of the church. Just like daily dwellers in the house of the Lord.

May our increasing frailty may actually serve to heighten our awareness of a reality and life beyond our normal senses. With our physical senses declining, and yet displays increasing joy and contentment, would be a great encouragement to others. Younger ones will be inspired. God will be glorified.

We will say with the psalmist, ‘My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever’.

May we have the ever shining light, beauty, and emotion symbolising the glory of God.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by Needpix.com - "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands." (Psalm 143:5).
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Reflection - Health and Frailties - Encouraging Ageing Christians
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART IV: HEALTH AND FRAILTIES, Chapter 24, "Coming to Terms with Declining Health", Question 2, Page 162.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Other Books



Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART IV: HEALTH AND FRAILTIES, Chapter 24, "Coming to Terms with Declining Health", Page 160-161.

[93] A helpful book is Una Kroll, Growing Older (London: Fount Paperbacks, 1988). Kroll, a church deaconess and medical doctor, offers practical advice on the problems of aging and threats to health.

[94] William Mountford, Euthanasy or Happy Talk Towards the End of Life (Cambridge: Mercalf, 148), 3-4, quoted in Bianchi, Ageing as a Spiritual Journey, 183.


Links
Other Books - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html


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