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Challenging Seniors’ Roles in Society

You may recall hearing about Thomas Moore. This Englander was a centenarian, a RAF veteran of WWII and someone who earned global fame in his final year. If you can’t recall his name, you probably remember his story. Mr. Moore had been treated for cancer and wanted to express his support for healthcare workers. He wasn’t content with just saying, “Thank you.” He looked outside and decided that during the pandemic, he could still pace around his garden. He decided to do a circuit for every year he has lived. He would ask for pledges to match his 100 laps. Who knows? He might raise $1,000 to support healthcare workers. Well, Mr. Moore pushed his walker every day in a path around his garden. Word spread about his efforts and intent. Once the final lap was completed, the amount of public pledges totaled more than $40 million. He reached his goal, raised more money than imagination could conceive and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Sir Thomas Moore earned the admiration and affection of a nation. It’s a great story, but it also reveals a concern.

Our society is guilty of ageism. We define others based on how old they are. This is most obvious for seniors. As we mature, less is required of us. We’re expected to retire and watch the parade of life pass. Others plan the family Christmas dinner. Eventually someone else will drive me to my destinations, or do my banking, or move my reduced furniture into a reduced space. We are nudged to the periphery of conversations, decisions and actions of life. It dawns that not only is less required of us, less is expected from us! No one denies that aging presents limitations. A senior’s gait may be slower, and the car keys misplaced more than once. But a diminishment of some capacity doesn’t mean that worth and contribution evaporate in advanced years. Our lives do not decline in value to a zero base. That’s not how God sees it.

God sees advanced years as a time for fruitfulness – green and full of sap! (Ps.93:14). Paul admits the physical struggle, but points to the inner person being renewed daily (2 Cor.4:16). The examples of Abraham, Moses, Caleb and John on Patmos all suggest that the greatest impact of our lives can be in the final chapters. After all, God spent decades shaping them. Why ostracize the ones who are ripe and ignore their fruitful offerings? Our cultural disregard and disrespect of seniors is a shame and a sin. But that is not the whole picture.

The problem is not simply with society, but also a senior mentality that withdraws from engaging. Far from exuding the biblical portrayal of impactful seniors, too many live in yesterday, complain about today and dread tomorrow. Grumpy. Fearful. Passive. Sir Thomas Moore explodes the myth that we have nothing to contribute. He spotlights a way forward. We should be less focused on what we cannot do and pray for fresh impact to our families, communities and churches. There is always something we can do. If we have breath, God has purpose for us. Our contribution will be realized as we follow that purpose. We probably won’t gain international fame. But God sees. God knows. He is honoured when we run our race to the end – even if it is with a walker.

Scott Tolhurst

Scott Tolhurst

Scott is the Director of Ministry Communications for Back to the Bible Canada. Through 5 decades Scott's passion has been to communicate the Word of God from the pulpit, in group discussions, personal conversations and printed text. He describes his journey as," Moving by love. Borne by faith. Looking with hope. All of it grace.

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