It is very interesting that the Bible records people of faith from a wide spectrum of age groups. God does not discriminate according to age. John the Baptist leaps within his mother's womb as a Mary enters the room pregnant with Jesus (Luke 1:41). A boy named Samuel, just weaned from his mother, serves God with an old priest (1 Samuel 2:11). God causes a young boy with a coat of many colors to dream a future for the nation of Israel (Genesis 37:5-11). Abraham and Sarah give birth to a child of promise in their old age (Genesis 21:2). A young maiden is chosen to be the Mother of our Lord (Luke 1:30-31).
These kinds of examples should cause us to think twice about how we treat people of various age groups. To many, infants are not considered a part of the kingdom of God until they grow up and confess faith for themselves. Old people are retired from service long before God is done with them. Young children are called the "church of tomorrow," as though they are not really the church of today; not full fledged citizens of the kingdom. May God help us see his hand upon the young and the old alike. May we not be guilty of discrimination against the very ones God may be using to advance His kingdom.
