Meyu Changkiri
When life gets tough, I often picture my father - no longer with us - sitting quietly by the fire. In my memory his hands are wrinkled, but I remember when they were strong. Strong enough to swing the dao in the fields, strong enough to carry loads of firewood from the forest, strong enough to fold in prayer through many sleepless nights.
His eyes had seen battles of life, harvests, and hardships, yet they also held the peace of faith. Children once gathered at his feet to hear stories of survival and God’s faithfulness. But today, many elders like him sit in silence. Their wisdom goes unheard, their blessings unused. To honor such elders is not just respect - it is to honor God Himself.
The Backbone of the Past
In Naga tradition, elders were the keepers of wisdom and the backbone of community life. Around the hearth they told us who we are, what we believe, and how to live. They were peacemakers when disputes broke out, counselors when confusion arose, and blessing-givers before every great step in life.
Every wrinkle on their faces tells a story of struggle, sacrifice, and faith. But times have changed. Modern life pulls families apart. Children move away for jobs and studies. Elders are often left behind, alone in the village. The distance is not only in miles - it is also in our hearts. And when we neglect our elders, we lose more than their company. We lose their prayers, their wisdom, and even God’s blessing.
What the Bible Teaches
The Holy Bible is clear on this matter. The Ten Commandments tell us: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Paul repeats this in Ephesians 6:2–3, reminding us it is the first command with a promise. Leviticus 19:32 says plainly: “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.”
Respecting elders is not just good manners - it is worship. Proverbs 16:31 calls gray hair “a crown of splendor.” God values the journey of faith lived out over a lifetime. We see it in the Holy Bible: Eli, though weak in discipline, helped Samuel recognize God’s voice. Naomi, though bitter with grief, became the source of hope and blessing for Ruth, and through her, the lineage of King David. Scripture teaches us that elders are living witnesses of God’s faithfulness.
Why It Still Matters
When we honor elders, we receive blessings that last. Their wisdom keeps us from making mistakes. Their testimonies inspire us. Their prayers protect us. Many of our parents and grandparents pray for us quietly every night - sometimes with tears. Though unseen, those prayers build invisible walls of strength around us.
The world today celebrates youth and independence. But God reminds us that age brings treasures too - wisdom, stability, and deep faith. When elders are respected, families are stable, and communities remain strong.
Naga Wisdom About Elders
For us Nagas, elders have always been the soul of our villages. They told genealogies, recited folktales, and passed down the stories of wars fought and peace made. They blessed us before planting seeds, prayed over us before journeys, and guided us in making peace after conflicts. To dishonor them was unthinkable - dishonor to an elder was dishonor to the whole community.
I still remember sitting around the fire as a boy, listening to elders tell of famine, survival, and the revival that came with the arrival of Christianity. These were not just stories - they were life lessons. They taught us endurance, forgiveness, and hope. Today, such moments are rare. If we don’t preserve them, we risk losing both our culture and the faith that shaped it.
My Own Story
When my wife and I left Nagaland to follow our calling, my father was already bedridden. My brothers and sisters cared for him with love until the end, something I will always be grateful for.
Each year, my family made efforts to return home. We visited both my parents and my wife’s parents. The trips were not always easy, but they were priceless. They helped my children know their grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. They learned that honoring elders is not a burden but a joy.
Even now, I see how those visits shaped my children. They learned to sit beside their grandparents, to listen, to respect, and to carry those values into their own lives. The journeys were tiring, but the blessings were immeasurable.
Modern Challenges
Many parents today choose to remain in their ancestral homes. For them, leaving would mean leaving part of themselves. As children, we must honor their choice. We can support them by balancing time between city and village, arranging local help, or visiting more often. Honoring elders may not always be convenient, but it is always worth it.
The Holy Bible warns us in 1 Timothy 5:8: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Caring for aged parents is not an option - it is central to Christian living.
Our culture today celebrates speed, success, and self-promotion, but it often forgets the quiet presence of elders. We invest heavily in the next generation but invest little in remembering those who came before. As Christians, we must resist this trend and obey God’s call to honor the aged.
When Elders Are Hard to Honor
Not every elder is easy to love. Some are harsh, stubborn, or difficult. But the call to honor them is about our obedience to God, not about their behavior. Honoring doesn’t mean tolerating abuse or excusing wrong. It means showing respect, setting healthy boundaries, and choosing love even when it is difficult.
Romans 12:18 reminds us: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Sometimes honoring elders means patience, silence instead of arguments, or small acts of kindness even if they go unnoticed. God’s promise still stands—He honors those who honor their parents.
The Blessing of Generations Together
Some families are blessed to live under one roof with grandparents, parents, and children. In such homes, children learn faith not only from parents but also from grandparents. Their stories and prayers become treasures. Paul reminded Timothy of the faith that lived first in his grandmother Lois, then in his mother Eunice, and finally in him (2 Timothy 1:5). This is the power of generational faith.
Even for families who live apart, intentional connection makes a difference. Shared meals during holidays, times of prayer, and even regular phone calls create spaces where blessings and stories can flow across generations.
Children Learn by Watching
Children learn more from what they see than from what they hear. The way we treat our parents today is likely the way our children will treat us one day. If we show love and respect to our elders, they will do the same when our own hair turns gray.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees (Mark 7:9-13) for neglecting their parents while pretending to be religious. He showed us that true faith is not in rituals but in love. The best way to teach children is by example. When they see us caring for our parents, they understand what love looks like in action.
A Call to the Younger Generation
Honoring elders was once second nature to our people. Modern life has tested this tradition, but God’s Word remains the same. Elders are treasures. When we cherish them, their blessings and prayers become a shield over our future.
Our time with them is not forever. Either they will go before us, or we will. Life is fragile, and every moment with them is a gift. A phone call today, a visit tomorrow, a shared prayer - these small acts turn into lasting memories and blessings long after they are gone.
Conclusion
To honor elders is both God’s command and wise living. It strengthens families, unites communities, and passes blessings across generations.
So what does this look like today? It means going back to God’s Word. It means staying connected through visits, calls, and prayers, even when distance separates us. It means building communities where no elder is forgotten. It means leading by example, showing our children that honoring elders is not a burden but a blessing.
In a world that often overlooks the aged, God calls us to live differently. Our elders are not leftovers from the past but living testimonies of His faithfulness.
To honor the aged is to honor God. And when we do, we plant seeds of blessing that will echo for generations to come.
