Posted on November 1, 2024

By Don Hawkins, D. Min.

Every day when we see that the sun has come up, we officially become another day older. While we may not relish the thought, Scripture places a premium on growing older, that is if we are growing older in a Godly manner.

For the Christian life coach, an opportunity to provide coaching ministry for grandchildren or other senior adults represents a significant occasion for reminding them that, despite the fact that much of our society minimizes the value of seniors, God places a premium on those who grow old in a Godly manner. Many seniors feel minimized, and have concluded that their best days and opportunities are behind them. The person who has secured training in faith-based coaching and who uses those skills can counter such thinking and aid in constructive goal-setting.

Consider these words from the Psalmist:

Psalm 92: 12 The godly grow like a palm tree;

they grow high like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Planted in the Lord’s house,

they grow in the courts of our God.

14 They bear fruit even when they are old;

they are filled with vitality and have many leaves.

15 So they proclaim that the Lord, my Protector,

is just and never unfair.

From these verses we observe that spiritual growth should be a part of our aging process, as should spiritual fruitfulness and faithful witness.

Growth

From the words of the Psalmist we conclude that those who are righteous, that is those who have placed their trust in the Savior, do not simply have to live out their days, but rather can flourish. The reference to palm trees, found in the lush Jordan Valley, and the Cedars, which populate the slopes of Lebanon, symbolize longevity, strength and usefulness. While our bodies may not continue growing as we age past midlife, our minds can be sharpened, and our walk with the Lord can become increasingly more vital. The coaching process allows us to provide those we coach with insight and encouragement toward personal and spiritual growth.

Fruitfulness

Alice, who had just turned 70, told Julianne, her life coach, “I don't believe there's anything I can do at this stage in my life that would benefit others. I’m not able to drive, suffer from a lot of pain, and it's been a long time since I was able to teach Sunday school.”

Julianne replied, “Have you thought about all the people on the prayer list your church publishes each week? You could have a significant ministry by taking a few minutes to pray for each one every day. Maybe even get a list of e-mail addresses for those you are praying for, that and drop them a note of encouragement to let them know you care. You'd be amazed at but that would come in and those lives.

“Also, I know you spend time on your computer communicating with your grandchildren. You can use the coaching strategies you’ve experienced from my coaching you—especially attentive listening and asking cultivating questions.”

Frequently individuals of note have achieved their greatest accomplishments at midlife or beyond. Michelangelo was appointed architect at St. Peter’s in Rome at age 66, a position he held until his death at 89. Thomas Edison gave us some of his best inventions between the ages of 70 and 80. William Gladstone learned a new language at age seventy, then became Prime Minister of Great Britain for the fourth time at age 83. John Wesley preached until he departed for Heaven at 90, and Moses began his third and most important career—leading over two million Israelites to the Promised Land—at age 80.

While those we coach may not accomplish such amazing achievements, we may be privileged to see them embrace the concept of continued fruitfulness. As the Psalmist noted, “They will still bear fruit in old age.” ,

Witness

One of the most important areas for potential fruitfulness can be seen in the final verse in Psalm 92. “So they proclaim that the Lord, my Protector, is just and never unfair.” Senior believers, especially those who trusted Christ decades earlier, can communicate with family -- especially grandchildren -- and others from their own experience the goodness and faithfulness of God as they have experienced in their years of life. They can share their testimony of how they came to faith, and invite others to trust the Savior. My own mother had the experience at age 65 of leading an 82-year-old neighbor to receive Christ. I had the privilege of leading a former Broadway musician to the Savior at age 92!

Another contribution we can make to those we interact with, from grandchildren to fellow seniors, is to encourage them to avoid any bitterness toward God, even when they have experienced the pain and challenges of living in a fallen world.

What a great road map this passage from Psalm 92 provides for coaching those who are at midlife or beyond. I would encourage careful study and meditation on these words.

One more thing to consider. As coaches, are we still growing “… in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” as Peter exhorted us? (2 Peter 3:18) Are we continuing to find ways to bear fruit by serving our Lord, His church and those around us? Do our words proclaim recognition of God's faithfulness and love rather than irritation about our circumstances?

Here are some final considerations from Proverbs:

Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is like a crown of glory;

if it is attained in the path of righteousness.

Prov: 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength,

and the splendor of old men is gray hair.

Physical and emotional health as we age does not guarantee spiritual well-being. It is important that we guard our own hearts and minds against spiritual dangers, while trusting God's indwelling Spirit to empower us to live each day in a Godly manner so as to please our Savior and set a Godly example to our children and especially our grandchildren. And may we use our life coaching skills to point those we coach, especially our grandsons and granddaughters, to the path of continued growth, fruitfulness and witness.

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Don Hawkins, D. Min. is the Senior Content Officer for the Master Life Coach Training Institute and the President/CEO of Encouragement Communications. He hosts the Saturday evening call-in program “Encouragement Live,” and has authored or co-authored over 25 books including Master Discipleship Today, Friends in Deed, Prime of Your Life and Never Give Up.