What does society say and what does God say?
I believe this image encapsulates society’s picture of an older person, a rather troubled and passive older man. In my work as Director of Outlook Trust, I meet many older people both in Churches and in the Community who feel on a very deep level that society has a very negative image of them which they do not deserve.
Here are a few of the things that society says about older people coupled with I believe, some of the things it thinks but doesn’t necessarily speak out;

• They are a social problem-a nuisance-a burden.
• They will bankrupt pension, health and other welfare systems.
• They are non-productive and a drain.
• They are past-it’ and out of touch with modern life
• They are undesirable or ugly with little or no value
• They are invisible, irrelevant, not important, nuisances.
• They are rarely portrayed as being wise and understanding.
• Ageing is denied to keep away the reality of growing old and a person is a ‘failure’ if they have grey hair and wrinkles.

 
So, based on the above, I believe that society looks upon older people and older age as a GREAT BIG PROBLEM, but what is God’s view?
I believe this image encapsulates His view and understanding and I am happy to say, many of our Outlook Members live their lives based on these truths;

• Old age is a blessing from God (Deuteronomy 5 v 33 /Psalm 92 v 13 – 15 / Isaiah 46 v 4)
• Older age is the fulfilment of a life devoted to God – ‘He has made all things new, past sins forgiven, abundant and eternal life’ (2 Corinthians 4 v 16-18)
• Wisdom is an attribute of older people who depend on God (Proverbs 9 v 10 – 12/ Proverbs 3 v 13 & 15 – 16)
• Older age is a general part of God’s purposes for life – (Genesis 25 v 8 – 1 / Chronicles 29 v 26 – 28 / Job 42 v 16 & 17)
• Older people have continuing moral responsibilities and a mentoring role – (Titus 2 v 2 – 4)

Although older age has its problems, in God’s sight older people and older age are certainly not a problem, but rather A BLESSING.
The two views, society’s and God’s are as the above shows, diametrically opposed. It is this truth we encourage not just our Members to believe and live by, but to every older person we say live up to and in these truths and not live down to what society says of you.
As ever with Christian love
Norman Critchell
Director Outlook Trust

There are nearly 12 million people of pensionable age in the UK today and the number is rising. The latest research shows that only around 16% attend church regularly. Many older people are out of touch with the Christian faith at the very time when they may be seeking an explanation for the difficulties and problems they have encountered in life. I still meet older people who mourn the loss of a loved one during the 2nd World War and continue to blame God for their loss.
In your own church/fellowship, how many activities focus on ensuring that older people understand the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection for them? It’s our experience that many may have been to church regularly without ever realising that they matter to God and can experience the life changing power of HIS LOVE personally, which is the heart of the Christian faith. Just recently I met a Lady who had been attending her Church for over 20 years and she told me that until she met me, nobody before had ever explained that she personally could find forgiveness and a ‘living’ relationship with God.
Outlook Trust’s mission is to reach older people, OLDER PEOPLE ON THE EDGE OF ETERNITY, with the GOOD NEWS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, by envisioning God’s people, by challenging and equipping the Church with appropriate resources and sharing good practice. In God’s sight, older people have great value and worth, which of course is not reflected in Society generally. Rather what I see is older people being treated as invisible, irrelevant, not important, nuisances. Older people are rarely portrayed as being wise and understanding. So many skin treatments are now available to treat the signs of ageing and hair colourings to cover over any grey hairs, because the impression given is that someone is a ‘failure’ if they have grey hair and wrinkles.
So, we who claim to be God’s People should reflect His Heart, celebrate and value the older Generations both inside and outside the Church and seek out the lonely and the lost, the sheep who have gone astray and bring them back to the fold. This was and is the mission of the One who we know as THE GOOD SHEPHERD and He calls on us to share in this with Him. HOW WILL THEY HEAR THIS GOOD NEWS THOUGH, UNLESS YOU AND I GO?
As ever in the Love of Christ

Norman Critchell
Director
www.outlook-trust.org.uk
admin@outlook-trust.org.uk