One of life’s most difficult experiences is observing our aging parents’ decline. It’s heartbreaking to witness how those who were once full of energy and vigor slowly become a shadow of their former selves. Society tells us that a person’s worth diminishes along with their productivity, but what is God’s perspective? 

I’d like to look at a familiar passage for clues. You probably know the story when, after the resurrection, Jesus talked to Peter and asked him three times if he loved him. Jesus then went on to make a troubling prophecy. He warned Peter that the day would come in his old age when he wouldn’t bathe or dress himself, and others would lead him to his death. 

Granted, this isn’t very uplifting, but it’s important to notice what comes next: John pointed out that Peter’s end would glorify God. 

The immediate context of this passage is martyrdom, but I believe we can apply Jesus’s message to any situation of helplessness. After all, wasn’t Jesus’ description of Peter’s condition very similar to what many older people experience? (not including the part about being a martyr, of course). Peter couldn’t dress himself or go where he wanted. 

And yet, despite Peter’s weakness, he would glorify God. His physical condition was irrelevant. What mattered was his faithfulness to his Lord in the face of persecution and the threat of death. Peter would fulfill the purpose for which he was created—to bring glory to God.  

Jesus looked past Peter’s helplessness to focus on his heart and faith and saw infinite worth. The world may dismiss the elderly, the infirm, or the disabled as worthless and having nothing to offer society, but God has a different view. 

Our physical and mental condition has no impact on our worth, nor does it stop us from fulfilling our purpose in glorifying God. 

My father died of Alzheimer’s. He was a brilliant man whose mind was ravaged by the disease, but I’m convinced that when he could barely put two sentences together in the last years of his life, God still looked at him and smiled.