Men, There Are Unexpected Benefits When You Breathe Life Into Others

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So seniors are you ready to reap the benefits of breathing life into your dry bones Are you ready to pursue opportunities to continue to influence and lead? Are you a late Salvation Army Commissioner Brengle recommended ready to “keep the draught open; clean the ashes out; keep putting in fuel?” Are you ready to keep your fire burning and come alive again?

An 82-year-old friend of mine is a perfect example where this is occurring. At his age, he would be the first to admit that his body may be slowing down, but he would also be one to admit that he sees himself as someone who has a responsibility for leading, mentoring and equipping. He is not ready to give this up.

He is alive and he continues to fuel his passion. In fact, he is so committed that after four years of thoughtful reflection, he is working in collaboration with others to establish missional communities in a new area of our city.

There are no dry bones evident in my good friend as he continues to breathe life into me as his friend and to others. He is someone whom I am trying to emulate.

My friend is not the only one though, as there are many more examples of women and men who are continuing to be active as seniors.

However, I think there are many more who are reluctant to. I have heard from the reluctant ones; the ones who are headed to the valley of dry bones if they are not careful. In fact, you may be one of those.

Here is what I have heard from the reluctant ones. First, I don’t know what my passion is and even if I do know what my passion is who would want to spend time with me? Second, at my age what could I possibly contribute to someone else? And third, I am too old, tired and have nothing more to offer.

All of these sound like valid concerns but they are just excuses. Here is what I think:

There has got to be something you have been doing in your job, your career, or during your leisure time you are passionate about. Something you have done and continue to do that brings you great joy and satisfaction. Something that when you engage in it, it doesn’t matter that you have spent a lot of time doing it because you feel charged and energized. That is what your passion is and that is where you should begin.

Once you have determined what your passion is there are individuals, groups, and organizations that have the same interest and passion. They would love to have an experienced and seasoned person to spend time with, learn from and build a friendship with. It could be someone younger than you, someone older than you, or it could be someone who is of similar age. The key is finding people with similar passions. You can find these people in your own family, your church, your former workplace or at schools. You have to be intentional though and have a willing desire to first find people and then share your passion with them.

You can contribute no matter what your age. Age is not a factor. The key factor here is your intent is to continue to have a heart for service. You want to serve and not be served. You have many years of service, experience and wisdom that you can carry forward and pay back those who have contributed to your growth and development.

Leading at an advanced age provides many unexpected benefits. It gives you a purpose and a mission. You feel valued and worthwhile. Most of all it helps you to stay alive and stay healthy. By contributing at what many would call “old age” they are breathing life into others and as a result, are reaping benefits as people half there age. Don’t you want to breathe life back into your dry bones?

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This post was originally published on LeadershipIsHeart.com and is republished here with permission from the author.
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