The “Old Guys” Deliver

As is typically the case at this time of the year on the sports calendar, Thursday night didn’t fail to deliver exciting action for viewers across the country.

An incredible performance from 40-year-old Joe Flacco highlighted the Thursday night football showcase between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Flacco, whom the Bengals acquired less than two weeks ago to be the temporary starting quarterback while Joe Burrow recovers from an injury, threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, and directed the game-winning drive as the clock approached zero.

Although Flacco may not have all the physical tools he once had, he still demonstrated tremendous savvy and poise in leading the Bengals to their first win since Week 2. 

Something similar occurred over in Major League Baseball, where 41-year-old Max Scherzer turned in a quality pitching performance (two runs and three hits in 5 ⅔ innings) to help Toronto even up the ALCS against Seattle at two games apiece.

At his advanced age by professional pitching standards, Scherzer definitely doesn’t possess the velocity that helped him to win three Cy Young awards earlier in his career.

But despite his drop in velocity, Scherzer was able to compensate on Thursday evening by relying on his breaking ball and an increased understanding of the art of pitching.

Whenever we tune in to watch sports, we are almost always watching a collection of athletes at different stages of their careers, each bringing a unique skill set to the table.

Younger athletes are in their physical prime, but they are also typically not as advanced at mastering some of the tricks and techniques of the trade.

Meanwhile, veteran players may “lose a step” physically, but they are still valuable contributors to their teams because of their leadership, wisdom, and guidance.

Similarly, all followers of Jesus are at different stages in their lives, whether due to age, life circumstances, or maturity in the faith. And even though we might not all be able to serve the Lord in the same way, we all still have something valuable to contribute to the kingdom.

Rather than comparing our gifts, abilities, or ministry opportunities to those of others, we should strive to be faithful stewards of our current season of life, whether we are young or old, busy or readily available, single or married.

For example, younger people are generally better suited for jobs that require greater physical exertion. In other words, younger Jesus followers may be able to steward their current stage in life by being more active with tasks that involve physical labor.

Conversely, “more seasoned” believers may not be as suited to participate in hard labor. However, they can still make meaningful contributions to the body of Christ by utilizing their wisdom and maturity in ways that help build others up.

Proverbs 20:29 (ESV) says, “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.”

I recall the story of an older woman who was homebound and was no longer able to participate in activities at her local church physically. When a family member asked how she was adjusting to not being able to serve the church anymore (she had previously been very active), she responded by saying, “I am still serving the church. I may not be able to go in person, but I can still pray.”

I think that is such a beautiful attitude to have. Though the older woman would have had every earthly reason to become discouraged about her situation, she recognized that her physical limitations actually allowed her to be even more engaged spiritually through prayer. 

To give another example, followers of Jesus who are young and single will have a greater opportunity to be active in the life and ministry of their local church (as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 7). They should take advantage of that stage in life to devote themselves to serving in as many ways as they can.

Conversely, married believers who are parenting may not be as available to participate in ministry outside their homes. However, they can still help advance the kingdom by being faithful in bringing up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Ultimately, it comes down to stewardship. God doesn’t expect the same results from all believers but wants us to live as faithful stewards in whatever our current situation might be. 

As 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) commands us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Today, let’s seek to be found faithful in our current circumstances, working heartily for the glory of the Lord.

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for being in control of my life and for having me right where I am for a reason. Please help me be a good steward in all that I do, so that I might bring You the glory that You deserve. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.