Matthew F. Leighty
Executive Director

Awhile back, I heard about someone who had been diagnosed with cancer, but they didn’t want others to know. This confused me because I thought they would like to share this information with others so more people could pray for them. 

In reality, it’s not all that uncommon to hear about someone facing a debilitating illness or life situation, but they prefer not to let others know. When I had recently shared this thought with my wife, she pointed out that I do the same thing. Wow! She was right. Sometimes, I struggle to be open and vulnerable with people. Outside of my wife, I rarely open up to others about things that might bother me, whether emotional or physical.

Ever since Adam and Eve, God has given us the gift of companionship through family and close friends to journey with us throughout this life, the good and the bad. As Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV) clearly states, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Just as we state in the Lord’s prayer, “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” These words remind us of the strength that comes from forgiveness and understanding in our relationships and how they can empower us and bring us closer to God.

In a study Worship Anew conducted with Barna (“Aging Well”) to assess the needs of our aging population, we found that individuals feel more loved as they age. However, this feeling of being loved is significantly stronger for those who are part of a community than for those who are isolated and alone.

The power of unity in Christ, as underscored in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV), is a testament to the sense of community and mutual encouragement we can experience. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” This unity allows us to truly feel the love of God, especially as we age. The work being carried out every day at Worship Anew seeks to shine a light on a family or community’s role in fostering a sense of love and belonging among aging adults.

However, it’s not just about feeling loved. It’s about knowing that our Heavenly Father loves you. It’s about knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles because we have a Savior who knows our every worry. In times of joy, but also in times of sorrow and hardship, God is always with us.

As we journey through life, we may encounter physical limitations, health issues, and various changes. However, these should not deter us from living a life filled with the abundance of Christ. On the contrary, these challenges can draw us closer to God, reminding us of our reliance on Him and His unwavering love for us.

Let us keep in mind the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV), “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

As we age and acknowledge our weaknesses, we become conduits for His immense strength, enabling us to live abundantly and with love at every stage.

Let us, therefore, encourage one another, build each other up, and live out our years in this love.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Colossians 3:12-13 ESV