For years I have been telling leaders that the last chapters are the most important chapters. Most look at me with a token smile. They don’t buy it but want to affirm my efforts in encouragement.
The culture has create a picture of the end-game as one of entitlement, rest, travel and leaving all of what needs to be done to others. Believers have bought into this cultural lie, and the church parrots this attitude as they relegate 65+ to the bench.
But the New England Journal of Medicine begs to differ, and so do I as I have coached the end game, and now personally experience it.
An extensive study in the U.S.A found that the MOST productive age in human life is between 60-70 years of age.
The SECOND most productive stage of the human being is from 70 to 80 years of age.
The THIRD most productive stage is from 50 to 60 years of age.The average age of NOBEL PRIZE winners is 62 years old.
The average age of the presidents of prominent companies in the world is 63 years.
The average age of the pastors of the 100 largest churches in the U.S.A. is 71.
The average age of the Popes is 76 years.This tells us in a way that it has been determined, that the best years of your life are between 60 and 80 years.
The published study also found that at age 60, you reach the TOP of your potential and this continues into your early 80s. Therefore, if you are between 60 -70, or between 70-80 you are in the BEST two stages of your life.
Finishing well and convergence are not just words found in a the lifelong formation paradigm. They are both real and possible for the life of every Christ-follower.
Finishing does not mean finished.
In fact resident inside those in their 60s and beyond are insights, lessons, values, and convictions along with resources and skills that have been placed there in the past, by God, to resource those grappling with the issues of today.
Two problems though often occur in those in their 60s-80s that “appear to” validate the words of the culture, the call for them to disappear into travel. First, most Christ-followers at this stage are not aware of that which has been entrusted and deposited into their lives. It is more than just money and property. There are important insights that they been called on to steward. Second, those who face this moment in their journey often forget that the young are looking first relationship… before the giving of advice. Both of these struggles often promote a sense of “de-valuing” and “dis-engagement.”
The desire of every Christ-follower is to hear the words… Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23). But for that to be spoken, intentional effort and stewardship, just like efforts of the earlier stages, must be made.
The Resonance process of Leader Breakthru helps individuals who are hungry to “finish well” overcome the hurdles, and move intentionally into the most important chapter of their lives. Their is the incredible priviledge to take what they know and have and and share it with others, empowering them to live out the Kingdom life… better!
Checkout Resonance on the Leader Breakthru website!
SOURCE: N.Engl.J .Med. 70,389 (2018)
