I don’t like the taste of coffee, but the Maxwell House people sure make me wish I did. Anything that’s good enough to enjoy to the last drop is worth getting in on. A life well-lived is like that. Some people hang up their spurs in the middle of the rodeo; others go out with their boots on, sitting in the saddle. Some shrivel up on the vine; others save their sweetest fruit for the final picking. Christians should make the most of their days—all of them. Moses wrote, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Some of God’s greatest servants did their best work after they were increased in years. Noah built a boat when he was six hundred years; Abraham and Sarah were almost a century old when they put the first diaper on a boy named Isaac; and Moses was eighty when God tapped him to head up the exodus. It is interesting that though Moses made excuses, he never tried to excuse himself because he was too old (Exodus 4:10). Caleb was eighty-five when he asked for permission to push the giants off “his” mountain (Numbers 14:24). Most eighty-five-year-olds want to stay off mountains, but Caleb wanted to live on one! Granted, Caleb was in good health, which means a lot, but his attitude was as ambitious as a twenty-year old. Anna was a widow of about fourscore and four years when she served God with fastings and prayers night and day in the temple (Luke 2:36). Paul was still active though “aged” (Philemon 9; cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8) and gave both “aged” men and women work to do (Titus 2:2,3).

One of the great challenges facing today’s church is harnessing the talents and energies of its senior members. The shelving of people in their sixties, seventies, and eighties (including preachers and elders) is a tragedy. In most congregations, brethren over 65 comprise the greatest potential work force for Christ. These members have had time to develop their faith and humility; they have (usually) outgrown the need to be noticed; they have wisdom to know how to get a job done without wasting effort and time; they have learned to get along with people. From a practical perspective,  medical advances have added health to their years. Early retirements have become commonplace and they have been released from oppressive work schedules. There is no longer a ringing alarm, no hectic rush to punch the time clock, and no imposed regimen of activity. They are free to do what they want, when they want. Their children no longer demand the majority of their attention or the bulk of their money. (Though grandchildren need some time!) They can achieve more for Christ in these years than ever before.

Jacob used every drop of his life. He died worshipping God and blessing others (Hebrews 11:21). “The righteous...shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm 92:12-14). No matter how many birthdays lie behind you, it is the time that is ahead that counts. - Allen Webster