posted by Kirk M. Wellum @ http://redeemingthetime.blogspot.com/
Some very disappointing statistics came across my computer screen today regarding the divorce rate among Canadians 55-64 years of age. According to Statistics Canada between 1993 and 2003 there was an overall decline in the divorce rate which fell by more than 11% from previous years. The decline was led by a decrease of more than 40% among those in their 20s and 30% among those in their 30s. However, this good news was offset by an increase of 47.9% in the divorce rate among those in the 55-59 age group, followed by an 31.7% by those in their early 60's!
While it is wonderful to hear that the overall divorce rate has declined, the increase among those in their 50s and 60s is sad to say the least. In trying to understand the numbers, those who study such trends point to marital dissatisfaction that is tolerated until the children are self-sufficient and then couples go their own separate ways; the affluence of this particular demographic group and the general feeling that exists in our society that people need to look out for themselves above all else. It is as though people in this age group feel that they have done the "responsible thing" long enough and now it is time for them to do what they want.
Whatever the exact cause, this is a telling commentary on a generation that has enjoyed so much in terms of material blessings and that has heard so much in terms of the gospel. Instead of providing leadership and setting an example for those coming up behind them, too many of them are flitting from cruise to cruise, meal to meal, and pleasure to pleasure as if the world now owes them a living because they have hit 55! From a biblical point of view they need to be reminded that only "those who stand firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:13); "and we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory"; and "we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold firmly till the end our original conviction" (Hebrews 3:6, 14). It is not how we start or how we run for a while, but how we finish in the end that matters. These numbers show us that not only are there spiritual needs among the young but seniors can be just as needy if they have never committed themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ in a way that truly transforms their lives to the very end of their days.
No comments:
Post a Comment