Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

There was also a prophet, Anna.... She was very old…She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:25-38 (NIV)

 

Despite their age, Simeon and Anna have not lost their sense of mission and purpose.

They played an important role in God’s plan of salvation, having waited and hope for the appearance of the Messiah during their lifetime. Imagine their joy when they saw Joseph and Mary bringing the baby Jesus to the temple to dedicate Him to God.

Their stories are powerful stories of encouragement.

Even as we age, we must continue to actively serve God and others. While there may be limitations due to physical health and ability, God can still use us for His glory. The ability to grow old is a gift from God. Not everyone lives a long life, and we all know someone who died too soon. We must not only learn how to age gracefully, but also see ageing as an opportunity rather than a burden.

Aging is not an excuse to become a “grumpy old man” or “cranky old lady.”

Like Simeon and Anna, we must carry on with purpose in our old age and use each day well. While we may no longer pursue lofty goals like ending poverty or hunger on a global scale, we can still inspire dreams, ideas, and imagination in others. Our gleaned wisdom and insights can provoke those around us to appreciate the life they have now, while remaining hopeful of a life fulfilled.