How about some observations about the gaining of years?

There’s a general principle I’ve observed throughout my life and ministry. Leadership follows up.

What I mean is that people generally want to follow a leader older than them. They either assume or presume some things about the aged and decide that the older person would be the best to follow.

The flipside of this general principle is that older people often presume they should be chosen to lead. Leading is a dangerous assumption to presume, regardless of age.

What other things could we mistakenly think just because we’re older than we’ve ever been?

Here are a few more.

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have the authority to tell younger people what to do. Authority is given and or earned by relationships. But it would be best if you never assumed or presumed authority over a more youthful person simply because you’re older than them.

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have mysteriously grown wiser or more godly. Age doesn’t come with automatic growth. Many years of experience do not equal an abundance of wisdom or godliness. Evaluated experience can yield increased growth. Intentional effort towards the development of character can help get you there. Time spent in God’s Word can produce godliness. But it’s not automatic. It doesn’t simply happen because time passes by.

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have the right to be grumpy. I know. Some act as though advancement in years gives them a right to be mean and cruel. But it doesn’t. No one has the right to treat others unkindly, even if they have reached the golden years.

Finally, just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’ve met your potential. The growth boundary to be more and do more is an invisible line created by you. As long as you’re breathing, keep growing and going farther.

Here’s a final spiritual reality I’ll leave with you. You’ll never be too young or too old to be used by God.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk; lol. Can you tell I’m already thinking about my next birthday?