One of the most difficult experiences in life is watching our parents’ decline with age. Our hearts break when someone who was once vibrant and strong is now confined to a wheelchair or no longer recognizes us. My mom is in her 90s and needs constant care. From a human perspective, it’s easy to think her condition signals a useless life with no purpose. But is this a correct assessment?
We tend to judge a person’s worth by their contributions to society. For example, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, doctors in Italy were forced into the agonizing situation of choosing whom to treat because hospitals were overwhelmed. Younger patients had a better chance of admission, showing how age shapes our assessment of someone. (I’m not condemning those poor doctors; I’m just making a point).
Age, of course, isn’t the only factor in gauging a person’s value. Illnesses and disabilities of all kinds also influence our assessment—basically, whenever someone can’t produce the way we think they should.
Thank goodness we don’t have the final say in evaluating human life. God is the only one who can—by virtue of being our Creator—and he sees things completely differently than we do.
You may remember the passage in the Bible where, after the resurrection, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” He then told Peter, “When you’re young, you can dress and go as you please, but in old age, someone else will dress you and lead you where you don’t want to go.” John adds that he said this to show how Peter would die and glorify God. (1)
Tradition tells us Peter was crucified, and yes, Jesus prophesied his death with these words. What I find interesting, though, is that Jesus described what generally happens in old age: a state of complete dependence. Even though most people don’t end up crucified like Peter – thank goodness! – we will all become helpless and reliant on others if we live long enough. And circumstances such as accidents or illnesses can make this happen sooner.
Why do I mention this? Because I think we can glean a wider principle from this passage: regardless of our condition, we can still bring glory to God, even if we’re totally helpless. Being in a wheelchair, living in a nursing home, or having any other limitations doesn’t take away from our purpose in life. God’s splendor and majesty can shine through everyone.
Jesus went on to tell Peter, “Follow me.” The disciple reacted in a very human way. Pointing to John, he asked, “What about him?” Peter apparently wasn’t thrilled with this prophecy concerning his future. Who can blame him? Jesus answered by basically saying, “What happens to John is none of your business. Follow me in what I have for you.”
Don’t we often behave like Peter? We compare ourselves to others or want what they have. Yet Jesus calls us to follow him. He has his purposes for each one of us, and our worth never changes in his eyes. Even with a broken body or diminished abilities, we can reflect God’s glory to others. Nothing, not even old age or disability, can change that.
(1) John 21:15-22
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This reminds me of Corrie Ten Boom’s final years. She was bed-ridden for 5 years where she could barely talk due to strokes. In that time, though, she prayed for others and in some ways, that ministry was as important as her speaking ministry. It is also a reminder that this life is not all that we should want, and that heaven truly is our final Home (Joni Tara’s book on Heaven). Thank you for your thoughtful perspective and reminder that truly, our value never ceases, no matter our physical or cognitive condition.
Wow, I didn’t know that about Corrie Ten Boom. The idea for this post originally came to me from my brother, and he got it when he was with my mom, who can’t walk and has cognitive issues. He encouraged her, and I thought, “we all need to be encouraged in this way.”
I didn’t know about Corrie Ten Boom either. Thanks for sharing that.
Thanks for your encouraging words Carol. At this point in my life, I’m definitely spending more and more time in prayer. It sure isn’t easy to get to the place where we can’t do the things we always did in the past. My prayer for myself is that I will continue to glorify Him in my heart and life. I am so thankful that He has promised not to forsake us in our old age.
🙂
Thank you, Carol. What a great reminder for us two old folks here. I see a lot of changes in us and what we are able to do and how slow it seems to be now. It takes me so much longer to do certain things. Each day we do pray for God to be glorified in our lives. God bless you.
You’re welcome. 🙂