In Numbers 4, the Lord addressed the duties of the clans and families of the Levites. The Lord directed Moses to
"List all the men between the ages of thirty and fifty who are eligible to serve in the Tabernacle" (Numbers 4:3).
Notice that these men were to be between the ages of 30 and 50, not too young but not too old. As the duties of the tabernacle and eventually the Temple were better defined, we don’t see that this age category for service was changed. It seems like Levites went into semi-retirement after the age of 50 and became elders who ruled by nature of their experience and the wisdom they hopefully developed through living a godly life.
I'm not writing this week to suggest that 50 is a hard-and-fast age at which someone should retire or step away from leadership or meaningful work. But I am writing to suggest that the Bible recognizes there comes a time when those who are older must acknowledge an important truth: They are old and won't live forever. They then must be open and willing to pass on the mantle of responsibility and authority at some point as they age.
No one owns their position, whether they work in a church or business. There's a season when they have energy and creativity to fulfill certain roles but when that energy and creativity wanes, it must be recognized as happening. That can occur when someone is 50 or 60 or 70 but it will happen. And when it does, they must not allow fear to motivate them to hold onto something for selfish reasons. We saw this earlier in David’s life when at the end, he almost didn’t promote Solomon to his rightful place as king because David was focused on his own needs.
Are you open to the fact that one day your capabilities will diminish, and you may not be aware of it? Do you have someone who can tell you if and when that happens? Will you make it easy for people to take over for you, or will you hold on to the bitter end? Will you allow your feelings to be hurt when for the good of your family or your organization or your church, others decide it’s time to change the role you have had?
The good news is that God isn’t finished with you. Allow Him to move you into new opportunities where your wisdom and experience are most needed and welcome. The Levites were still involved after 50; they just weren’t carrying the heavy loads. Their season in ministry had term limits. As I write, I have a flourishing publishing business. i do relief work in Africa. I travel to speak and share my wisdom on life purpose I have gathered over the years.
I'm busy and happy, but I don’t do what I once did as part of a church organization. I promise that God has the same for you, but you must face the fact that whatever you are doing or will do has term limits and one day you will have to stop doing it. Make sure you cooperate with that day and don’t oppose it by insisting that others honor your years of life. Accept your limitations and continue to serve the Lord in the ways you can. Have a blessed week.
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