Open the boxes

Far too often, we put people in boxes. We then label the boxes 'useful' or 'not useful' in our head, and then treat the person accordingly. 'Oh, you're ill, long-term? Into the "sick" box'; 'Elderly? Into the "senior citizen" box.' We don't mean to, but we do it, usually subconsciously.

The problem is, unchecked, this 'boxing' leads us to approach people differently: condescendingly, with pity, or half-attention. And they feel it. When we let something like 'too old' define our view of someone, we reduce them. But that's definitely not how God sees them. Psalm 139:16 NLT, talking about how God plans our days, says, 'Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.' Let's think of someone we dismiss as 'too old'... Yes. God is still planning their days. He still has a reason and a purpose for them. In fact, in the Bible it tells us that God's people will 'still bear fruit in old age' (Psalm 92:14 NKJV).

Maybe there's someone we know who's older and been dismissed so many times they no longer know there's a purpose for them. Maybe we could show them the truth. Maybe it's time that we looked to minister to, and be ministered to by, those who we may normally write off.



So what now? Visit someone who may be a little 'dismissed'. Take a gift. Ask questions. Receive advice. Laugh with them. Just make time and give them sincere attention.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Even when they are old, they still bear fruit.' Psalm 92:14 GWT
— SOULFOOD —

2 Sam 20:1-22:30, Matt 26:14-25, Ps 109:16-31, Pro 18:1-3