When King David was old and well advanced in years? Adonijah? put himself forward and said, "I will be king." I Kings 1.
David was a great King who had ruled Israel with an iron hand for 40 years. But, time had caught up with him. Things the old king use to do, he could not do anymore. And so, the hell hounds came out of the cracks and crevices.
This is an interesting story about David because he had grown old and in his old age he had lost his usefulness as interpreted by others. King David had lost his sexual desire; he had lost his virility, lost his stature, lost his position as being "manly." So his son, Adonijah said, "I'll be king." Daddy isn't what he use to be; he's old, he's senile, he's done with, I'll take over and I'll rule."
Well, when we contemplate our society and nation today, all indications seem to suggest that our usefulness is predicated entirely on our ability to perform. What a sad commentary. It seems as though we have a sort of built in self-destruct mechanism because we in America have made a god out of youth. We have men and women struggling to avoid growing old. Cosmetic surgery has escalated to an almost insane number. We resort to all kinds of strategies: liposuction, implants, diet aids, make-up, anti-aging creams, hair clubs and anything else that promises to keep us young. We want to maintain our youthfulness and vitality.
As a consequence, we have old women running around with young men and old men with young women. Many of us are frantically lost, caught up in the whirlwind of trying to stay young. This is the kind of society we live in. We have made so much ado about age that we have become more and more fearful of the aging process.
Well, when we get there, and if we live we will, the day will come when we will find ourselves in David's shoes. If we hang around, don't go anywhere, stay on the scene of life, we will grow old. We will not be able to perform the way we use to. So the question is, will we too be rejected, cast aside, ignored like most of our seniors today? The day is coming when we will be sitting where David and millions of others have sat. What will be our plight when we too come to the last miles of the way?
Father Time had caught up with David and his son was anxious to get him on out of the way. Isn't it sad how some people will take advantage of the elderly? When you can no longer speak for yourself, think as fast, see as clearly or hear as keenly as you use to, folks will take advantage of your weaknesses.
But before judging too harshly, we must understand that all of us suffer with a king complex. There is a gravitational force from the winds of the world to push the old aside and to become king ourselves. When we see others stumbling, and fumbling and forgetful, the king complex kicks in and we want to push them aside; get somebody who can do it better. We forget, or suppress or deny, that where they are is where we are heading. What we do to them today, others will do to us tomorrow.
Be patient with our seniors. They may not be able to walk, talk see, or hear like they use to, but give them a chance.
Your day is coming!
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.
You are welcome to visit amen ministries: your soul's service station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.
Blessings to all!
one time home cleaning Morton Grove ..Burn out, it can happen to anyone. Some of the... Read More
Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that... Read More
Since the beginning of time mankind has pondered, who God... Read More
"It's a big challenge. It's a journey into the unknown.... Read More
Have you ever thought about how your orientation to time... Read More
I come face to face with self whenever you come... Read More
Many of us have been taught that it is wrong... Read More
There once was a man who wanted to teach himself... Read More
Setting boundaries is a common expression that we hear almost... Read More
One cannot make a decision in the moment of now.... Read More
One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More
Life, no matter how we choose to look at it,... Read More
The junk I'm talking about is the stuff that we... Read More
Natural laws exist that serve to maintain order in the... Read More
The greatest frustration in a Christian's life is not being... Read More
In the year 2000, I went on a mission trip... Read More
Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift... Read More
Imagine the Bible is a sharp and deadly double-edged sword,... Read More
It's amazing how - even when we're working from a... Read More
Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More
Among those arriving to the stadium early were two old... Read More
Not a Failure!Those of you who are unemployed, or desire... Read More
Since I awoke from my three month coma in August... Read More
eco-friendly cleaning service Glencoe ..Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More
What does it take to live life holistically?It definitely does... Read More
It's not always easy to stand in the midst of... Read More
You are a Creative Worker:God carries on creative work through... Read More
When the storms in your life are raging, just believe,... Read More
Five verses specify that we are to live by faith.... Read More
Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More
Is it not true that only after gaining Enlightenment (Self-Realization)... Read More
There is light at the end of the tunnel, but... Read More
Some of us might hear from time to time that... Read More
Are you always looking for bargains, especially something that you... Read More
It is within us to... Read More
Do you know where your current path is taking you?Education,... Read More
Getting the most from a Tarot card reading relies on... Read More
So, none of us arrived with an Owner's Manual, neatly... Read More
Those of us, who are familiar with Apostle Paul's sermon... Read More
The magic of the tarot was obvious to me the... Read More
Continued from "Origin of Certain Thoughts, Part I"If you haven't... Read More
What could be a scary thought for some? How bout'... Read More
One night, whilst watching TV, I understood a very useful... Read More
Stress & Spirituality ? How Spirituality Affects Stress LevelsTake a... Read More
An interesting question arose within a poetry workshop I attended... Read More
Not going to church has the advantage of having free... Read More
In our fast paced society we often want everything done... Read More
Although spring is just around the corner, there have been... Read More
Spirituality |