Lion with the Lamb

 Genesis 48:2 When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed.

This moment hits pretty close to home for me. I'm stilled in spirit to think about what it means to be an elder. How do we navigate the waters of life as the years come on us? What does it look like to follow God through the ages? In this case, I mean literal ages, 40s, 50s, 60s, and so on. There is something that a true elder brings. If I'm going to focus on who I'm becoming in Jesus, then I better pay attention to what I see in those true elders. Jacob was a true elder. My mom was a true elder. I see a calm in their presence. I see no need for façades or masks. I see no need for an explanation or an argument. It is simply a confidence, an assurance, of what they know soul deep to be truth. Their words are few, but I think their thoughts are many. Their presence is a deep stillness of grace, hope, love, and peace. They are not swayed by the world or its ridiculousness. They are settled in who they are. No need for pretenses or striving. Israel rallied his strength, but it was a calm "lion with the lamb" kind of strength. Beautiful. Am I becoming that person? Am I allowing the work of Christ in me so that He can live through me? It is a process, to be sure.