Elders – the scent of a Spirit filled life

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be transformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). It says in the Scripture that all of us who are Christians have no veils on our faces, but reflect like mirrors the glory of the Lord. We are being transformed from the inside out and reflecting God’s heart and nature like a mirror.

I’m also quite fascinated by the idea that Christians have a distinct scent. It’s not a literal smell. It may seem odd, but it’s a spiritual scent. It says in 2 Corinthians 2:15 – 17 that we have the unmistakeable “scent” of Christ, discernible to all… to those who are heading for death, it is the smell of doom. To those who are being saved it is the fresh fragrance of a spirit filled life itself. So, we are also smelly!

I have a friend here at our seniors’ campus-of-care who told me as much in a recent visit and he thanked God for a spiritual friend in me. I was deeply moved as I felt the same connection. To be honest, he has a reflection of the Lord whom I love – and he smells! He smells like the fresh scent of life, of freedom, of a life invested in generosity and other people.

A few summers past at church we went through Proverbs. It’s a book in the Bible where an older, wiser person (King Solomon) shares life’s wisdom with a younger person who is starting out in life. In my recent visit with this elderly man, I felt as though the Book of Proverbs was being lived out in front of me. Sitting across from me was this elder who learned to read his Bible as a young man. Through reading God’s Word, he fell in love with the God of the Bible – the God of love, patience and justice. He especially loved how patient God is with people who make a mess of their lives. He was only 14 when he willingly gave his heart to his loving heavenly Father.

In our visit, he shared with me some of what he has learned as he gave God all of the circumstances of his life. He shared the heartache of raising a child who walked deep into darkness, vengeance and hatred. He shared how the Christians around him judged him as a parent and spiritual leader. His heart and life were broken – and yet, he felt the heartbeat of the Father for this child – the way that the father of the prodigal son waited for his return with patience, love and anticipation (Luke 15:11-32). Oh the joy when 35 years later this child called home in desperation. The healing and forgiveness began in earnest.

His advice for me? Let the heart of God fill your heart with His love. Don’t resist the love, the compassion and the caring of the Lord. Even when it aches, let your heart overflow with love for the lost sheep, the prodigal child, the relentless wanderer. Act on God’s love – sometimes it’s a hug, sometimes it’s a word of encouragement and sometimes, it’s patiently waiting.

My friend also advised, “My timeline and God’s timeline aren’t always the same. God has all the patience in the universe. He always looks and waits for hearts to turn to Him. He calls in a quiet voice and patiently awaits a response”. We, on the other hand are hurried, scattered and anxious. We seek quick fixes and relief from our suffering. Be patient, he said. Give others and God all the time that they need. Don’t pressure others to do what you think they should do. This wise man shared from his challenges, pain, questioning and fears. 

I appreciated the privilege of sitting across from him and seeing God’s heart mirrored in this man – and smelling the scent of the fresh fragrance of a life well lived. He was a man whose life, perspective and heart have been transformed into the loving God that he has enjoyed since childhood.

If you have the opportunity in the next few weeks, take the time to sit and listen to an elder’s wisdom. Ask them to share with you the wisdom that they have gained through hardship, through success and through obedience to God. This time of listening can be watching the Book of Proverbs unfold in front of you. An honest elder brings insight and warning to those of us who are younger. This spiritual friendship is a gift that blesses both the giver and the recipient.

As it says in Proverbs 4, “My child, listen closely to my teachings and learn common sense. My advice is useful, so don’t turn away.” If you know an elderly person whose life is filled with wisdom, grab this opportunity to learn from their insight and wisdom.