When I was in the Army, I performed some radio operator duties, sending our Daily Operations Report from time to time. The DOR is sent to inform higher headquarters the state of my infantry company. On the receiving end, after going through 10 status reports, which usually end with the Morale of Troops as “High,” the recipient says “Roger” after receiving a transmission—simply saying “R” for “received.” I do not know the origins of the term “Roger,” but the practice of saying “Roger” stuck in my personal vocabulary. It became my way of telling someone that I understand his instructions, to which millennials say “noted” these days.
As a proper name, “Roger” comes from the Old French Rogier, which literally means “famous with the spear.” The most famous Roger I know now is Roger Federer who is famous with a tennis racket and is considered to be the greatest tennis player of all time. This Swiss player has won 20 Grand Slam titles and 103 career ATP titles in his illustrious career. In his last professional tournament, the Laver Cup, the recently retired Roger said, “This is not the end—life goes on. I’m healthy, I’m happy, everything’s great, and this is just a moment in time.” Indeed, it is never the end as his Roger Federer Foundation, dedicated to provide education programs for children, will continue to help impoverished children, especially in Africa.
For some who retire, unlike Roger, they use most of their free time to play golf, watch TV all day, and chill while reminiscing about the things they used to do. We all grow old and weak, physically speaking. In my case, I used to play tennis and basketball until my knees and ankles surrendered. Even in golf, I used to hit a 7 iron for a 160-yard shot. These days, I hit the same club and would be lucky to carry 140 yards. I still enjoy the game, play it from time to time with close friends and for business purposes. But, I try to do what my pastor friend has taught me to do, which is to spread the Good News about repentance, redemption, and salvation. From a believer’s perspective, our Almighty God did not let us live long enough so we can just play golf all day. In fact, seniors and retirees like Roger Federer should echo the Biblical plea that says “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” (Psalms 71:9). Those like me who are nearing their years of significance should rest on that promise that God will continue that faithfulness as our physical strength fails us. As we realize that our strength diminishes with old age, God’s strength never does. As Charles Spurgeon said, “It is not unnatural or improper for a man who sees old age coming upon him to pray for special grace, and special strength, to enable him to meet what he cannot ward off, and what he cannot but dread; for who can look upon the infirmities of old age, as coming upon himself, but with sad and pensive feelings?” In the words of Roger Federer, “Obviously, matches and all that stuff take their toll on your body and so forth. But as you get sort of a bit older, a bit wiser, and a bit more experienced, you know also how to handle it.” And the best way to handle aging is to age gracefully, not only in physical looks but also in spiritual stamina.
From a spiritual strength point of view, not every believer grows stronger in the Lord as he grows older. The Bible is filled with examples, such as Solomon and Samson, of those who faded away in their older years. In the Bible, Proverbs 20:29 tells us, “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” My gray hairs have been my trademark. I jokingly tell my older siblings that my “platinum blonde hair” is a sign of an overused brain, if not wisdom honed through the years of stressful experience. I ask that we all be given wisdom that only comes from above.
But going back to Roger Federer, his hairs are far from going gray, yet his wisdom, exhibited in his gracious one-handed backhand returns, effortless forehand winners, and spectacular drop shots from the baseline, shall endure for a long time in the tennis world. Some sources say that ROGER, the term I use to acknowledge instructions when I was in the Army, now stands for “Received Order Given, Expect Results.” For believers, ROGER ought to stand for Relax, Our God Embraces (Us) Reassuringly. Combined, Roger Roger has a nice ring to it.
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.