GENERATIONAL NETWORKING

At 63 I'm considered an "old guy" in some circles. Especially in this country where I'm standing at the front of the "boomer" line. However, in other nations, and at other times in our cultural de-evolution I'd be considered (and revered) as an elder worthy of respect and honor simply because I had earned those perks through the process of aging. Seeing things from my perspective as an "aged one" I am concerned and saddened by what's being lost to the generations coming along behind me. We are (all) suffering from the disconnections which are taking place between the young and old(er) in matters related to living on this planet. I recently read a comment somewhere on line that said we were becoming a nation of hermits slouched over our computer screens with our "blackberrys" in hand. That's certainly not the way our Creator intends for us to live our lives.

Scripture gives us a very clear picture of how we are to be joined together:

"And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." (Ps.71:18/NASB)

"For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments..." (Ps.78:5-7 /NASB)

"You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness." (Eph.4:4-6/MSG)

The Biblical directive those verses call us to as believers is certainly not how we're functioning currently. Maybe something(s) will occur in the future that will begin to re-establish the pattern that God's Word gives us for helping one another to grow and mature. I hope, and pray that will be the case. To that end, perhaps the following observations may help to move things in that direction.

In the October edition of AARP magazine (yes, really), there was an article in the Life Lessons section entitled "The Pressure To Be Wise". It referenced a video series called "Wisdom Keepers". In it there are a number of short interviews with older people of accomplishment, from dancers to environmentalists to writers intended "as a motivational tool for an audience of teenagers (now know as "young adults")." There were a couple of phrases that prompted me to post this blog up:

At 20 you know everything; at 70 you're not so sure
One of the reasons to keep wisdom, it seems, is so you can pass it on

There was one section in particular that addressed this topic in a very concise fashion. Margaret Atwood (a Canadian author and poet) drew on an example from the Inuit tribe from Arctic. Regarding the process of joining the generations among the Inuits tribe, she made the follows observations:

"You can't become an Elder just by getting old; it's a title bestowed by others. You never push your advice, but you offer it if asked. You can tell who the Elders are just by watching a group. They are the ones to whom the others are always bringing cups of tea. When an Elder speaks, people listen. But, they don't speak often.

An Elder knows what to do in times of difficulty. They acquired that knowledge by having endured hard times before. As one of their old sayings puts it, 'Good judgment comes from experience; experience comes from bad judgment'."

She goes on to make these comments based on her cultural studies from history:

"In earlier societies, especially those living in harsh environments, at a time when the life expectancy was 35 or so, the rare individual living to 60 would have seen many more times of crisis than the younger people. He or she would have had a better idea of how to face those dangers. In traditional Japan it was the custom to tear down and rebuild wooden temples at set intervals, so that the rebuilt temple would exactly resemble its predecessor. Three generations of master craftsmen were always employed: the apprentices, who were learning; the master craftsmen of middle years, who had already lived through one temple rebuilding; and the oldest generation, who'd been through the process twice before and could coach the other two."

So, here's something for all of you apprentices and middle year folks to consider -- from one of your elders. Instead of setting all us "Baby Boomers" adrift in tinny little boats with limited rations when we reach our sixty-fifth birthday, perhaps you could consider making space in your hearts for the principles of Scripture I mentioned above to work some kingdom renewal among us.

I'm just thinking out loud. At least I think I am. Its pasted my bedtime isn't it?