Heading for the finish line

THE FINAL LAP:
Navigating the transitions of later life
By John Wyatt
10 Publishing. 67 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978 1 915 705 808

As a fellow struggler, I thoroughly enjoyed this little gem. Professor John Wyatt, himself a recent retiree, explores the final three stages of life.

With great warmth and sensitivity he poses the question – what are old people for? Just imagine what would happen in your church if all the over-60s stopped turning up for duty? While the secular world markets ‘retirement’ as a well-earned holiday, many retired Christians find themselves busier than ever. So what old people are for is a pressing issue.

This is a book rooted in Scripture and Wyatt’s personal experience…

• in the transition from retirement to independent living, he encourages us to look for those activities which energise us. He quotes Frederick Buechner approvingly, ‘The place God calls you to serve is the place where your deepest gladness and the world’s deepest hunger meet’;

• in the transition from independent living to dependency on others, he teaches us to celebrate vulnerability rather than fear it. God has created us to be mutual burdens;

• in the transition from dependency to dying, he helps us to see how Christians don’t die, they ‘fall asleep’ in Christ.

Although we are right not to welcome death, God kindly helps us to prepare for it every time we lie down to sleep.

I particularly appreciated the comment that the approach of death gives us what Wyatt describes as ‘relational authority’. It provides the unique opportunity to restore broken relationships.

Inevitably, in a book this size, Wyatt doesn’t have space to address all the practical issues that need to be considered. But, in a world that regards death as the ultimate taboo, this book is gold dust.

If you find yourself approaching the final lap – or you have loved ones who are running it now – this book is for you. It would make for a great discussion starter for the golden oldies group in your church.