Новые времена Go back to the homepage Solving the aging dilemma The problem of an aging workforce has become a key issue for business and professional leaders in many countries. In some, including the U.S., the average age of working people is increasing. Individual companies are setting age limits for retirement, but should people's right to extend their careers be limited by arbitrary deadlines? My experience has taught me that a person's age is not always an objective way of assessing their value in the workplace. We all need to consider each person's ability to properly and competently fulfill their specific role. As a veteran in the insurance industry, I recognize that my profession requires mental acuity and physical stamina. After 40 years of my career, the moment has come when I am ready to pass the baton to a younger, more competent generation. However, I am also aware that God has blessed me with longevity and good judgment. I am convinced that my most productive years may still be ahead of me. The current journey is inspiring and I look forward to where God will lead me. If you've already completed your professional life, I hope you've found meaning in your use of time. But I'm not ready for an idle life. As a follower of Jesus Christ and a devoted researcher of God's Word, the Bible, I was impressed by the long life of two men who remained faithful to God during the 40-year journey of the ancient Israelites through the wilderness. Joshua and Caleb, who represented the tribes of Ephraim and Judah, were sent with ten others to scout out the Promised Land, according to Numbers 13. The two of them alone returned with a "minority report" to Moses and the Israelites, giving a magnificent account of what they had seen during the secret mission. Joshua and Caleb were the ones God called to lead the rest of the Israelites into Canaan and conquer the land for His chosen people. The other spies were forbidden to enter the Promised Land. "These men who came out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall not see the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not obeyed Me, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the son of Kenezuel, and Joshua the son of Joshua, because they have obeyed the Lord" (Numbers 32:11-12). Joshua and Caleb were both eighty years old when they crossed the Jordan River, and both lived well past a hundred! In those years Israel had conquered much of the land God had promised them, and the nation was prospering. These men were effective leaders who clearly loved the Lord. They led the Israelites to many victories and only a few failures. The Israelites faithfully followed their example. Both men were led by the Spirit of God as they demonstrated the spiritual, mental, and physical strength that enabled them to lead a wayward crowd of Israelites. That same spiritual, mental, and physical strength is available to each of us today who trust in the Lord, whether we are young and just beginning our careers or are in our middle years or nearing the end of our working lives. If the Lord has given you longevity and blessed you with spiritual, mental, and physical strength, He expects your faithfulness and obedience in every circumstance. God has a wonderful plan for those who remain faithful to the end. © 2024, all rights reserved. Jim Langley is a thirty-something writer who works as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has become writing about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw closer to Him. As a longtime member of CBMC, he began writing Fourth Quarter Strategies in 2014. Questions for reflection/discussion If you were asked, "In your opinion, when does a person become too old to continue working?" what would your answer be? Does your company or organization have a mandatory or even recommended retirement age? Do you believe that certain professions should have age limits because of their unique requirements? If so, which professions do you think fall under this and why? What are the potential benefits of allowing people to continue to fulfill their responsibilities as long as they have the physical, mental, and spiritual strength to perform them? In societies where a significant portion of the workforce is aging, what might be the "downsides" of retiring too early, whether by personal choice or corporate decisions? Can you think of someone in your organization who could fulfill the role of Joshua or Caleb? To learn more about what the Bible has to say on this topic, consider the following passages: Numbers 8:26; Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 4:9-12; Acts 11:30; 1 Timothy 3:1-10, 5:17 Difficult task Two of the most important, but often undervalued virtues in today's workplace are wisdom and experience. These are qualities typically possessed by more senior employees. If you are one of them, actively seek out ways to share your knowledge with others. If you're younger, spending time with an experienced colleague can be extremely helpful. This week, consider how you can begin to share your experience and wisdom, or find someone who can teach you what you've learned yourself.
