We wonder what life will be like and what we will do with ourselves once our kids have flown the coop. One possibility is to renew our sense of purpose. Having a purpose in life means caring deeply about goals you are willing to work toward achieving—often to help others or affect the world in some positive, productive way. Do we need a sense of purpose, or should we just sit back and enjoy life?

Researchers find strong associations between having a purpose as we age and better physical health and well-being down the road. Their findings point to the need to foster purpose in older adults, especially in those who may find themselves adrift after children move away, or post-retirement. Studies also report people having a higher sense of purpose felt significantly less stress and anxiety after a stress-filled day than those without purpose. Those older adults who were purposeful in helping others said their lives were filled with joy and happiness. Creek 55+ is here to help you find God’s Purpose for this season of your life.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 

Church membership is our opportunity to grasp hold of each other in Christ, responsibility and love. By identifying ourselves with Cottonwood Creek, we let the staff and other members know that we intend to be committed in attendance, growth, connecting, giving, prayer, caring , serving and witnessing . We allow fellow believers to have high expectations of us in these areas, and we make it known that we are the responsibility of this local church. We assure the church of our commitment to Christ in serving with them, and we call for their commitment to serve and encourage as well.

All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Acts 2:44

Enlightenment is the receiving and giving of intellectual insight and wisdom. God has created human beings with the tremendous gift of the mind and the human brain is capable of learning throughout the years of older adult life. That Good News means that older adults can continue to learn, grow, adapt, and accomplish many things through various means of enlightenment and growth.

The brain of the older adult does not stop thinking and has an ability to remember growth experiences and teach them to others. Creek 55+ offers many ways for older adults to grow throughout their aging process and  continue to pursue the development of their gifts, passions, rewarding experiences,  and purposes for living.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

True friends are hard to find. They stick closer than family, and often know you better. They pray bigger things for you than you pray for yourself. They believe with you when your faith is weak. They make space for you when life falls apart, and they rejoice with you when all is well. Most importantly, true friends remind you in every encounter who and what is most important. The essence of Christian friendship is companionship forged in life. Christian friendship is a treasure because it helps us cling to our greatest Treasure. Christian companionship deepens joy. Christian friends help us enjoy God by enjoying him with us. A vital function of Christian relationships is  faithful cheerleading of Christian friends. Whatever form it takes, encouragement motivates others to continue running the specific race God has marked out for them. Creek 55+ provides opportunities to connect and build relationships through activities, education, outreach and serving.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25

The servant role is a lifelong calling. Being a servant is a fundamental attribute of God as He demonstrated His serving attitude by sending His Son Jesus to be a servant. God calls people to believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin and death and calls them to be servants to others. The various ways that older adults serve the Lord may change throughout the aging process, but the role of servant remains the same regardless of age. Creek 55+  will encourage and provide older adults with opportunities to continue their serving ministry as a lifelong process.  God creates a serving heart in the believer, provides the motivation through the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus dwells in the life of the believer, and provides a life of purpose, significance and meaning as the believer lives in joyful service.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, “Here am I. Send me?” Isaiah 6:8

The Great Commission includes participation by older adults. God calls older adults to share their faith in Jesus in words and actions as they are used by the power of the Holy Spirit to draw people to God’s saving grace in the death and resurrection of Jesus. God has designed all believers of all ages to be involved in the outreach ministry of making disciples.  Older adults have unique opportunities to carry out the outreach ministry in their families, in the relationships with friends,  co-workers, neighbors, and in their daily contacts in the community. Creek 55+ provides practical ways for older adults to be equipped for outreach, witnessing, affirming  their significance and recognizing how God is at work in their lives.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

A legacy about you serves you and your ego, but a Christian legacy serves the one true God and His kingdom purposes. A Christian legacy will plant seeds of faith and train up the next generation of believers who will train up the next generation and so on. We should look to Him for ways to leave a Christian legacy  that points to God, not us. We can see examples from Jesus Ministry on how to live in a way that can leave behind a legacy bigger than ourselves. Jesus’ life demonstrates the impact we can have by continuing His legacy in our own lives. When we make plans for the end of our earthly life, we think through where money goes, how to be buried, and how our estate will be divided. All of that is important. But most  important is what Kingdom impact have you made that will have a lasting effect for generations to come. Creek 55+ creates opportunities to shape your legacy as you prepare for Heaven.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me,  and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalms 71:17-18