The Life Of The Older Guy

Reference: Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

Observation: Since I will pass the half-century mark next year, this verse really caught my eye. How is it that we “older men” (and I use that term very loosely - I don’t really like to describe myself that way ;)) are supposed to act? The first is to be self-controlled. There is nothing more unseemly than men who have grown up on the outside but still act like teenagers on the inside. God calls us, if you will, to act our age. Our years of experience should have brought us wisdom and if we are going to be in a position to share that wisdom we have to live so that others will respect what we have to say. It is not just speaking wisely, but living wisely.

Paul instructs Titus to tell older men to be strong in their faith, loving and patience. So much for the crotchety old Christian man image! We may be tempted to think that as we get older no one should expect us to be patient or loving. After all, they should be deferential to our older age and make allowances!

That is not how God’s Word sees it. We should be the ones who are showing those who are younger what it means to live before God with passion. We are called to demonstrate this in our patience and in our love for others.

As we get older it is time to think about the legacy we will leave behind. Our desire should not be that others would allow us to simply be any way we want to be, but that others, even after we are gone, would be more fervent for God, more loving and more patient because of our example.

Application/Confession: God is challenging me on faith, patience and self-control. I hate to wait!! That is probably why I don’t have as much self-control as I ought. It really hinges on faith. I need to be totally convinced that God is in control, that He loves me and that He will work out the details of my life and ministry for my good. If I can really grasp that, patience and self-control will be a snap.

PRAYER: Lord I believe. Please help my unbelief.