THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE FOUNTAIN OF AGE

It has now been two years since I reached that golden milestone of threescore years. By virtue of staying alive in this uncertain world I have earned the right to think in terms of the fountain of age rather than the fountain of youth. But I am thinking of age in a special context, and that is in reference to the ministry of the Holy Guest of heaven in our lives. My thesis in this short piece is that even the Spirit of God, like us mortals, is hampered by time as well as by opportunity. Surely the Spirit is a gentleman who will not impose himself upon us, and he will not move in and make his home in our hearts unless we invite him. But even when we invite him in it takes time for him to do his thing with us. So age is on our side. If we are open to the Spirit’s influence, each passing year should make us more aglow with the fruit of love, joy, and peace. The fountain of age, therefore, should well up for us deep treasures from the heart of God.

It is like marital bliss, and as I ponder the years I have spent with my dear Ouida the word bliss is most appropriate. But a couple’s love in the first two or three decades hardly compares with the maturing years when at last they stand together at the fountain of age. The early years of love are vigorous, exciting, and even reckless, as well as romantic --- and we all cherish those years --- but those in their 50’s and 60’s, and perhaps even more in their 70’s and 80’s, have something special going for them. It is not easy to describe, but Ouida and I now enjoy each other more than ever before. We do not have to go and do (though that’s fun too), but simply enjoy each other’s presence. There is no king or prince in all the world’s domains that cherishes his queen or princess any more than I do mine. And age makes a difference.

The life of the Spirit within us is like that. The Spirit must feel much more at home when he has been around for awhile, enduring our foibles and helping us in our weaknesses. Just as our cells are under going change and replenishing our bodies, the Holy Spirit is at work renewing our inner person, conforming us more and more into the image of Christ. If it takes two decades or so to grow a body, it may take even more to nurse a soul into the meekness and gentleness of Jesus.

What is more glorious on this earth than an aged soul ripened and matured by the finger of God, which through the years quickens and chastens as well as soothes and succors? I think of Ouida’s mother, who, even when I first met her 37 years ago was the epitome of the Christian graces, but who now stands like an old oak that provides cool shade for any in need of refuge. The Guest of heaven moved into her life almost three-quarters of a century ago, and it is obvious that he has been busy cultivating his fruit through the years. Gentleness is the Spirit’s fruit, and we must conclude that “the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit” is precious in God’s eyes in men and women alike.

I have been reading a book entitled With Wings As Eagles by Perry Gresham, who was president of Bethany College when I taught there. In presenting his philosophy on ageing, Perry shares his resolutions with his readers, one of which is that in his old age he will not be a bore by being a monologist who has to talk and cannot listen. He is also determined not to brag, realizing that the modest accomplishments in one’s life have a way of being exaggerated through the years. He also promises to wear his glasses when he shaves, lest he leave those patches of gray that gives the appearance of a bedraggled bird in moulting season. He also wants a friend around the house who will love him well enough to apprize him when he smells of booze, garlic, onions, cigars, dogs or sweat.

And while he resolves to accept ageing for what it is and not stupidly pretend that he is still young, he has no intention of withdrawing from the drama of life, and he will enjoy the continual renewing that “waiting upon the Lord” will bring one at any age. Even if he has retired from his life’s work as an educator, he refuses to retire his mind, but will continue to make friends and entertain ideas. Above all, his rule for old age is the Golden Rule and his philosophy to love and be loved, and he is adamant about never becoming an opinionated, unreasonable, stubborn old bullhead.

This is another way of saying that one should yield to the influence of the Spirit of God and become sweeter, gentler, more reasonable, and more responsible with each passing year. The notion that old age must mean senility, boorishness, childishness, and a meaningless and unproductive life is a cruel myth. The ageing Christian can show the kindness and consideration for others that only years can cultivate, and his latter years hold promise of being his most productive. Dr. Gresham insists that old age does not even have to mean a faulty memory, for one can remain mentally alert through mental exercises and by working at it more in the maturing years. Continual surges and renewal are what it is all about, he says, and life does not have to be on a declining plateau from age 60 onward.

The apostle Paul showed special respect to “those who were in Christ before me. “ Years in Christ, many years in Christ, should make a big difference. If Paul expected the believers in Rome to be “aglow with the Spirit,” how radiant that glow should become as Jesus makes his home within us year after year. Paul was in those maturing years when he wrote Romans and now he writes of the power of the Spirit (twice in chap. 15) the joy of the Spirit, the love of the Spirit, and even the sanctification of the Spirit.

Love, joy, sanctification! These are power-packed, and they are the resources of renewal for the whole of life. The Spirit’s glow need not be dimmed by the passing years. To the contrary, the more and the longer we “wait upon the Lord” and yield our spirits to the guidance of heaven’s Guest within us, the greater will be that spiritual fire. It is like a torch in the hands of a herald. The more --- and the longer --- you shake it the brighter it burns. --- the Editor

To love God with all the mind brings the human intellect into service. One of the most neglected aspects of the Judeo-Christian tradition is the intellectual love of God. --- Perry Gresham in With Wings As Eagles.