Beautiful Gifts

Scriptures: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:6, 11)

Over the weekend, our church had a joint retreat with another church. In one morning devotion, we met one sister for this church who is 85 years old. She told us that she came to know the Lord when she was 65 and how wonderful her life has been since then. Her passion in life now is to bring her sons and daughters-in-law as well as other residents in the senior apartment where she lives to Christ.

Throughout the retreat, we had many activities, workshops, revival meetings, and recreational activities. Before the start of every activity, a bell would ring to remind participants of this retreat to prepare their hearts for the upcoming activity. The bell would ring again at the start and end of each activity. I noticed that the man who was ringing the bell was an elderly brother, more than likely in either late seventies or early eighties.

From the 7 AM morning devotion to the 9 PM evening prayer meeting, from the spiritually challenging meetings to the physically satisfying meal time, from the start of the retreat to the last call to board the bus for home, he never missed one and was always on time. His dedication to his role and responsibility of keeping the schedule moving on time was a blessing to us all. He didn’t talk much. But his call to everyone could be heard throughout the camp.

This church with whom we had this joint retreat was known for their senior ministry. They said more than 80 percent of their membership was senior citizens 70 years old or older. But, from what I have seen, this is not an old church at all. Their members are young at heart and energetic in serving the Lord. “Retirement” doesn’t seem to appear in their vocabulary at all.

When I came to know them better, I couldn’t but remember what the bible says, “… If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8) Each one of them, regardless of their age, offered the gifts given them with love. Such was a beautiful testimony of what God can do through us if only we are willing to give ourselves to Him for His purpose.

We all have received gifts from God. Apostle Paul told us that gifts were given us “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12) God’s desire is we use the gifts given us according to His will and the leading of the Holy Spirit so that the body of Christ may “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

These elderly brothers and sisters from our sister church taught me many important lessons. Their faithfulness and dedication reminded me to stay faithful. But the most important lesson I learned from them is the love of God who, despite their old age, is still lovingly blessing them, giving them the strength to care and serve and to bring others to Himself. How I long to be blessed like that, even to the last day of my life!

Prayer Requests:
For senior brothers and sisters who are physically weak and need our care, service, support and prayers

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for those elderly brothers and sisters whose love and dedication to You are both precious examples for us to follow and powerful testimonies of Your power for life transformation. Help us to learn from them the important lesson of being faithful to the calling given us and of being loving to the ones You have sent to us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!