No Old Dogs

What are your limitations as a servant in the church? Take a few seconds and list in your mind the things you are and are not willing to do. No two lists will be the same; each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, their own comfort zones. Whatever is on your list, even if it’s only one thing, just think about it. Now ask yourself, “When is the last time I learned to do something new?”

Often we place the burden of learning new things on the younger generation, and we often site the phrase, “You can’t teach and old dog new tricks!” My question is, “When do you become an old dog?” Is there a magic age limit? As one of the “young people” who are often called to that higher standard of learning and growing and doing new things, when do I get to refuse to serve and learn?

Learning and growing is a part of being a Christian. Often, however, we believe that learning and growing is only for the preacher, the elders, the deacons, the class teachers, or the children who are becoming adults. The problem is that there are a bunch of old dogs who are setting the worst type of example for them. Those who are “old dogs”, you are setting an example that says, “When you get to be my age, you get to take it easy, and just watch everyone else do the work.” If you are physically able, the work is there for you to be a part of. If you are mentally able, there is work for you to be a part of.

For Christians there is no time where we get to be old dogs who don’t learn anything anymore. We are to be constantly learning, constantly growing, and always improving ourselves to set a better example for the generation coming after us. If you’ve chosen to be an old dog in the past, make a change. If you’re acting like an old dog right now, quit it. Nobody finds it cute or amusing. Start learning some new tricks, or start teaching some of the things you have learned to the generation coming up. Find some way to be useful. God requires that all of us make ourselves useful and serve the needs of the body. Even if that means that you are being taken care of 24/7 by someone else and your behavior and attitude are the things that exude Christ to others, so be it. We are all responsible for our role in the body, and there is no place for old dog mentality.

⁶ Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, ⁷ Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, ⁸ Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. ⁹ How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

-Proverbs 6:6–9