I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:12,13
Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage: it can be delightful.
~ George Bernard Shaw
One reason why life ceases to be delightful for so many is that they do not know how to fill it with anything worthwhile. Add to this the fact that we are living longer these days, and the lack of delight looms even more ominously.
In 1900 the average life expectancy was 49. Today it is 77.9 and rising. This year the oldest of the baby boomers, who make up a quarter of the population, are turning 65. Tens of millions more will join them in the next fifteen years. How will folks fill these extra years? You can only play so much golf.
Marc Freedman has some ideas on the subject. In his book The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife he argues that we need a “new map of life” to deal with this demographic change. Freedman is founder and CEO of Civic Ventures, a nonprofit research group focused on boomers. He points out that while medical science and improved nutrition have succeeded in extending our lives, our ability to redefine these longer lives has failed to keep pace. Calling this part of life the “encore stage,” Freedman encourages people to quit clinging to lost youth and instead using one’s evolving identity and experience in ways that are marked by “purpose, contribution and commitment, particularly to the well-being of future generations.”
Think of the impact this could have on the church: folks who have lived through life’s challenges helping and encouraging those without any experience in such matters. Older men and women mentoring and teaching those who are younger. Ministries demanding time being carried out by those with time to spare. The Bible mentions repeatedly such a dynamic working in God’s church. It would be a powerful force for good in the church (and society) to unleash it.
Ronald Blythe writes, “With full-span lives having become the norm, people may need to learn how to be aged as they once had to learn how to be adult.” A good start would be determining to wear out instead of rusting out.
facebook
twitter (@pvcclr)
google plus
rss
