I stood frozen at the bathroom sink. Shock coursed through my veins, through my mind, and deep into my soul. Could this actually be happening? My heart caught in my throat and I felt a chill go down my spine. I knew this had happened to other friends, but somehow, I thought it wouldn’t happen to me. Not yet. Not at this time in my life!
Friends, I found a gray hair this week. Alright, maybe that reaction was a bit dramatic, but… it wasn’t newly sprouted. It was bright silver, as long as the rest of my hair. It had been there a long while. This shock came on the heels of my latest dermatologist appointment at which I’d ask the doctor to look at a couple of spots. Thankfully, they were fine. Not so thankfully, she referred to them as “wisdom spots”, which we all know is a not-so-thinly-veiled alternative reference to age spots.
So, a few days later, as I read Chapter 5 in 1 Peter and the term “Elder” caught my eye, I assumed it was because I’m slightly more sensitive to “old” these days. But really, when I dig down deep, I think it’s far more than that.
Peter starts the first paragraph, “to the elders among you”, then gives some instruction. Then the second paragraph begins, “In the same way, you who are younger” and gives instructions on Christian living.
If I’m being honest, I’ve probably skipped over the Elders part more times than I can count. My eyes have gone straight to the young people section. They almost did the same this time. I saw the “young people” section and thought, “Oh, that will be so good to focus on with William!” Every twelve-year-old needs a few reminders of humility, self-control and God’s grace, right?
But, then. The oft unread, overlooked passage, the Elders… well, that must be for those that are older and wiser than I, right? Or so I thought. Until this week – when a few light bulbs came on and flooded what had before been a darkened room in my brain.
It occurred to me, Peter did not write these two paragraphs to be exclusive of each other. He had just finished, in chapter 4, writing encouragement to ALL of us to love deeply and use our gifts to serve others. He didn’t mean for us to separate ourselves out from each other by picking the age group that we deemed ourselves to be in and only take heed to that part. In different times, in different moments, we are both the elder AND the young person. Years ago, when I mentored a couple of new teachers, I was the elder. I had more experience and knew the ropes of the classroom better than they did. But, in that same season, I was a new person on a leadership committee. The others knew far more than I did and had vastly more experience. In one afternoon meeting, I was the elder. In the next, I was the young person.
As those with more experience (ahem, who might have found a gray hair this week), we are called to shepherd our people – whomever those people might be.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…”
1 Peter 5:2
If we are parents, our people are our children.
If we are teachers, our people are our students.
If we are managers, our people are our staff.
If we are coaches, our people are our team.
If we are students, our people are younger students and our peers who don’t have as much knowledge of God’s love.
If we are friends, our people are our tribe.
So, what does Peter tell us, as elders to do? Simply, to tend our flocks.
When you dig deeper, the various Bible translations use vivid verbs and adverbs to describe this loving action! Tend. Guide. Protect. Serve. Watch over. Feed. Do each of these things compassionately, tenderly, willingly, eagerly, and diligently. I especially love the NIV translation, which reminds us that our people have been, “entrusted to” us.
As I’ve thought through this idea this week, many faces swirl through my mind – my parents and grandparents who diligently protected, bosses and principals who willingly guided, friends who served as mentors who compassionately fed my heart. I was entrusted to them, and they tended me well.
Friends, gray hairs or not, we must attend to others as elders. In this busy May season, it isn’t about one more thing on your list, though. It’s about being willing to slow down, to look around and to see the needs of those entrusted to you. Who is your flock right now? How can you tend to them?
As parents, it may look like a willingness to actively listen (again) to the minutia of their school day, or to give consequences for their behavior in an attempt to protect them from hard things.
As teachers, it may look like greeting your students with a cheerful smile every day, even to the very end of the 1,367th day of May.
As managers, it may look like overseeing an employee’s work with patience and grace.
As coaches, it may look like serving your team by being an example of good sportsmanship.
As students, it may look like noticing if a friend is hurting or struggling, then caring enough to ask and help.
As friends, it may look like feeding their hearts with coffee, conversation and a hug when this parenting thing gets tough.
Be the shepherd of your flock… because you are willing… because you are eager to serve… because you have been through the same stuff and can be an example.
Hugs and blessings, Bethany
PS – I’m really okay with the gray hairs! I know I’m lucky they are just now appearing! I’ve always said I’d age gracefully, so I’ll take both the gray hair and the wisdom spots in stride. And if all my hair turns the same silver of the hair I found, I’ll have some fantastic hair! 🙂