I have been a preacher at a rural church for more than ten years. The church’s main members are elderly who firmly trust in the Lord. Their faith life shines with beautiful spiritual characters.
Many of them entrusted their lives to the Lord Jesus at a young age. Their life journey has been long enough to experience the deep love, endless grace and ever-present favor of the Lord Jesus. They often share their conversions during special times, which unfold as lively scrolls to make me feel the majesty and reality of the Lord Jesus.
In the hard years, they could not openly gather together due to restrictions, but they were strengthened by the Lord’s guidance through every difficult moment. They gathered secretly in a dark cellar where they studied the word of God, prayed, and encouraged each other. Lord's grace and miracles accompanied them. Whenever they mention those years, their hearts are filled with gratitude and joy.
Their love for the Lord has remained the same until now. Every Sunday, even elderly individuals with limited mobility make every effort to come to the church. Some of them walk with crutches, yet with resolution.
Although their offerings are modest, the money is saved through their frugality and careful living. They often say, "Although we cannot do great things, we still want to contribute to the church." Their offerings are not just money but also reflect their love for the Lord.
I remember the year when the church was being built, these elderly individuals, though unable to do heavy work as young people, carefully passed bricks to the workers building the church, one by one. Some elderly believers offered vegetables grown at home to God.
The elderly frequently and enthusiastically attend gatherings. At their village meeting points, they often sing praises to the Lord. Their songs might lack sophisticated language, but the pure love for the Lord expressed in their simple lyrics is deeply moving. One song they often sing goes, "Thank you, thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for being in my heart. I cannot live without the Lord; with the Lord, I have everything."
During every communion service, tears of emotion fill their eyes when the bread and cup of the Lord are passed to them. Some elderly believers, unable to attend due to physical limitations, entrust others to bring the bread and cup back to them. Their desire for the Lord and their reverence for communion reveal the depth and power of their faith.
Many people think elderly believers have little understanding of the Bible due to their lack of education. Yet when asked about basic biblical truths, you may be surprised to find their understanding is profound because they are deeply eager for God’s word. One elderly man, despite his hearing loss, would place his ear close to the loudspeaker during every sermon, listening intently to God’s word.
We should learn from their precious spiritual qualities with sincerity and enthusiasm. Like them, we can trust in the Lord in every detail of our lives, expressing our love for the Lord through giving offerings and pursuing the word with a longing heart. We hope that Christ’s glory will be revealed more abundantly through both them and us.
(Originally from the Gospel Times, the article has been edited under permission. The author is a preacher from Jiangsu.)
- Translated by Karen Luo
