Monday Memo 1166: Gray Hair

In our series titled 'Never Too Old for Purpose," I include some personal reflections on a passage from the psalms:

I will always put my hope in you; I will praise you more and more. I will tell of your goodness; all day long I will speak of your salvation, though it is more than I can understand. I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone. You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts. Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come (Psalm 71:14-18, NLT).

As I read this, I'm 74 years old and I'm trying to put myself in the psalmist's place. Here are some thoughts:

1. He declared that he will always hope in God. As people get older, they realize that nothing else "works," at least that's my conclusion. God and His ways are the only reliable things in life.
2. He promised to praise more. I need less sleep and wake up in the night often now. When do, I spend some time praising and thanking God for simple things: health, provision, relationships, grandkids. I take nothing for granted and I go out of my way to praise and thank God.
3. He said he would speak of God's salvation all day long. I'm on social media all day, every day. As I receive something from the Lord, I share it as quickly as I can.
4. He said he could not totally grasp what He was saying. As I get older, I discover that the more I know, the more there is to know. Learning is a lifelong pursuit in the Lord.
5. He went in God's strength. As my physical strength wanes, I increasingly have to rely on God's strength on a daily basis. He has all I need.
6. He promised to only declare God's goodness. When you have lived long, you have more memories and they're not all good. It's easy to get bitter or cynical. I ask God to help me be neither, which means I have to be the opposite—gracious and trusting, childlike even.
7. He asked for God's help as and until he was done proclaiming God's glory to the next generation. My ministry time is increasingly invested in sharing with the young(er) about the lessons God has taught me. And of course, I write and publish so God has something, if He so chooses, to share with those coming after me.

The psalmist stated that he was "old and now gray." When I get a haircut and look on the ground, I wonder where all the gray hair came from until I remind myself that it came from me. I don't know how long I have, so I'm determined to make every day count, just like it seems the psalmist was determined to do.

But as I write, I realize that everything he wrote is as relevant and applicable to people of any age as it is for me. But when you're older, your body reminds you every day that the clock is ticking. The good news is there's plenty of work to do, as the psalmist said, for those who are focused on doing it until they can't do it any longer. Have a blessed week.