Sunday Devotion: Respect Your Elders

Yesterday, I was privileged to attend and be apart of the choir at a dear woman's memorial service, who had just recently passed away from our church. Her name was Dolores and she was like no other.

As a fairly new addition to the church myself, I only have had some interaction with Dolores, but from what little time I had spent with her came a wealth of knowledge, understanding and respect.

She had an essence about her spirit that lite up an entire room. Her wit was comical and yet smart. Her words were both full of correction and love. During her last days, I can recall her fumbling doing or saying things. Dolores would just laugh and say "If I had two brains, it'll be dangerous!"

The most significant lesson she taught, however, was the power behind prayer. How we must go to the Throne of God, no matter what we are facing or how we are feeling, to get right and to make that precious connection with Jesus. This is a treasure that I personally hold dear, as I can remember visiting her and hearing her pray over me and my husband. Dolores always put others before herself. You thought you'd visit to pray for her, and soon realize she was quick to turn the tables :)

Scripture talks a lot about respecting our church elders. It commands children to honor their father and mother, but it also let's the body of Christ know that those who have started the journey prior have not only experiences to share, but God has given them wisdom they can pass down to others.

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

1 Peter 5:5

Today, think about the elders or spiritual pillars in your church and home. Think about where God has brought them from and what He has transformed in their lives. Sometimes, I feel, we can get so caught up with entertaining youth groups and attending to the Sunday School department and forget to acknowledge our older examples. 

Elders can help in so many ways, but the most significant is being a testimony to the Lord's grace and humility. Take a moment and reflect on those who are seasoned saints, and pray for them. Let's also give thanks and be grateful to have such examples around us, to enlighten our minds and uplift our spirits.

After all, a forest is not only full of fresh, young spruces...most people stand in awe at the tall, rooted trees that have stood the test of time and continue to reach towards the sky.