CROWN OF SPLENDOR!!!

‘Gray Hair’ photo by Reny Jose on Unsplash.

Do you have gray hair or hairs? Rejoice! Your gray hair, according to a scripture found in Proverbs 16:31, is a Crown of Splendor!!! ‘Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.’  Have you ever heard that scripture?  I started getting gray hair in my late 20’s!  What’s up with that?

Read what dailydevotional.com says about it: ‘As an indication of age, gray hair is not a disgrace but a distinction. It’s a crown of splendor, an achievement to be celebrated. It’s a way of identifying the elder­ly who deserve respect. And if those having the crown of splendor are ones who’ve lived a righteous life, we should treat them with even more respect. They’re people to whom we should listen if we are to live wisely and obediently.’

I don’t think our culture in America gets it, but other cultures do! A Japanese anthropologist named Yohko Tsuji studied aging in America for over thirty years!  Through her research, Tsuji found notable differences in the universal experience of aging that reflect values held by each culture. Americans cherish independence, youth and achievement – which are challenged by the process of aging. In contrast, Japanese highly regard interdependence, alertness to others’ needs, and life experiences accumulated over the years. Well, we live in America, but we can adopt the biblical view of aging which is even better!

Read the following biblical list on aging from Crosswalk.com;

‘8 Benefits of Aging Worth Celebrating’.

1. Abiding Contentment: 1 Timothy 6:6. ‘But godliness with contentment is great gain.’
2. Increased Wisdom: Proverbs 3:13. ‘Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.’
3. Unshakable Faith: Psalm 138:8. ‘The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.’
4. Spiritual Strength: 2 Corinthians 4:16-17. ‘Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.’
5. More Acute Sense of Priority: Psalm 73:25. ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.’
6. Eternal Perspective: Ephesians 3:11. ‘According to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
7. New Roles: Psalm 145:4-7. ‘One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.’ ‘They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.’

8. Additional Time: Psalm 90:12. ‘Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.’

Don’t lose sight of God’s truth regarding aging and get caught up in our cultures view.  Remember, ‘Don’t regret growing old.  It’s a privilege denied to many.’  (Author unknown).

LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ‘CROWN OF SPLENDOR!