Missionary Renegade: Daily Guide/Daily Devotion grow. pray. study. from The Resurrection United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 6 August 2015

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Daily Guide/Daily Devotion grow. pray. study. from The Resurrection United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 6 August 2015 - “They will bear fruit even when old”

Daily Scripture: Psalm 92:12 (11) My eyes have gazed with pleasure on my enemies’ ruin,
my ears have delighted in the fall of my foes.
13 (12) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar in the L’vanon.
14 (13) Planted in the house of Adonai,
they will flourish in the courtyards of our God.
15 (14) Even in old age they will be vigorous,
still full of sap, still bearing fruit,
Psalm 71:9 Don’t reject me when I grow old;
when my strength fails, don’t abandon me.
10 For my enemies are talking about me,
those seeking my life are plotting together.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him;
go after him, and seize him,
because no one will save him.”
12 God, don’t distance yourself from me!
My God, hurry to help me!
13 May those who are opposed to me
be put to shame and ruin;
may those who seek to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 But I, I will always hope
and keep adding to your praise.
15 All day long my mouth will tell
of your righteous deeds and acts of salvation,
though their number is past my knowing.
16 I will come in the power of Adonai Elohim
and recall your righteousness, yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me since I was young,
and I still proclaim your wonderful works.
18 So now that I’m old, and my hair is gray,
don’t abandon me, God, till I have proclaimed
your strength to the next generation,
your power to all who will come,
Reflection Questions:
In Marigold Hotel, Evelyn saw her fabric buying as a hobby. When she was instead offered a full-time job, she gasped, “I’m 79 years old.” Her potential employer replied, “We don’t mind if you don’t!” These psalms showed that God has a similar attitude. God doesn’t mind our age either—God calls us all to serve, and welcomes us as our hearts are willing.

Our culture idolizes youth, spends vast sums of money to hide any signs of advancing age and uses phrases like “out to pasture” to describe the elderly. Do these scriptures challenge any of your attitudes or actions? What are some ways your church (and you) can empower the “wise ones” among us to serve (“bear fruit for”) God today? Whatever your age, how can you set aside biases based on age, and value all the members of God’s family?
Whether you’re 21 or 81, to what extent can you join the psalmist in saying, “You’ve taught me since my youth, God, and I’m still proclaiming your wondrous deeds!”? Resurrection started the “Crossroads Ministry” to help people find the good way for life’s second half. To learn more, visitwww.cor.org/crossroads (and, if it’s for you, check out the Pre-retirement seminar information). Whatever your age, join the psalmist in resolving, “Lord, I will help others remember nothing but your righteous deeds.”

Today’s Prayer:
O God, I’m so used to hearing (and saying) things like “too old,” “too inexperienced,” or whatever that it’s a joy to see that the Scriptures, and you, show no age bias. Amen.
Insights from Shari Wilkins

Shari Wilkins is a Group Life program director, working with Adult Sunday School and the Crossroads Ministry.
Psalms 92:14: “They will bear fruit even when old and gray.” This verse assures us that God wants us involved in His work when we are young and strong, or old and grey. As we age our strength declines, so it would be easy to feel we have little to offer. However, in our weakness God gives us strength.
I watched this year as my silver haired 70-year-old husband had to come to grips with the fact he can no longer accomplish what he did 20, 15 or even 10 years ago.
In January, he and three other men on a mission trip in Honduras were asked to help dig a trench that would become the foundation of three high school classrooms at the Juan Wesley School in Ciudad Espana. These classrooms will allow students the opportunity to continue their education beyond the 6th grade without having to travel 45 minutes to the capital city of Tegucigalpa, a trip most cannot afford.

The four men, without hesitation, agreed to help dig the 2-foot wide, 4-foot deep and 70-foot long trench, using pickaxes to break-up the rocky soil. The work was strenuous, but gratifying knowing what would eventually be built on this site.
About a week after returning, Tom’s right knee swelled, causing a good bit of discomfort for several weeks. During this time he started questioning his ability to take part in future mission trips. After discussing the joy he has had serving in less strenuous mission activities, he realized he still has much to contribute, and signed up to return to Honduras in 2016.
Have you found “that” place God is calling you to serve? What are your passions? Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? If not, consider taking a Spiritual Gifts class. And if you are in the pre-retirement or early retirement stage of life join Crossroad’s Pre-Retirement Seminar on October 3 or attend the four session Explore Your Future workshop on Tuesdays in October.