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I am coming to grips with a hard reality.
I am getting older.
That’s good news and not-so-good news.
The good news is that I can take advantage of a lot of discounts, an AARP membership, and the early bird special at most dining establishments,
The not-so-good news: more trips to the doctor with more medications, more aches and pains after doing simple tasks, more trips to the bathroom, and a serious look at adult communities. I learn more of my friends and family are suffering from chronic illnesses. I also go to more funerals.
I am finding myself rationalizing. I’ve lived a good life. I have survived a lot of ups and downs. I have my health. I am happy where I am now.
Until I do something my younger self would have had no problem doing.
Let me get something straight here: I am not worried about dying. I am fully prepared to go at anytime.
My wife and I would like to go together. We prefer it happen through the Lord’s return at the Rapture (1Thessalonians 4:16-17). But we don't make that choice. Enough said there.
But I do have some biblical insight into this growing older thing.
First, in my study of the Scriptures, I find there is no retirement. Okay, maybe we don’t go to a job, punch a clock, and toil in an eight hour day (or longer), but when we stop working, we should be prepared to continue working for the Lord. While corporate America might not have any use for our skills, God still have a plan for us:
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." (Psalms 92:14-15).
God knows we have value. Especially to our children and grandchildren:
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come (Psalms 71:18).
These kids count on our historical understanding of the game of life that God has laid out for us – and them. Often, we might be the only connection between them and the Lord. Our experiences can give them more insight, practical wisdom, and application then Chat GPT:
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life (Proverbs 16:31).
That part is a little hard to swallow. I often look in the mirror in the morning and ask: “Dad, how did you get in here?”
And yet, the Lord sustains me.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalms 73:26).
Here’s the thing. I don’t know what the Lord has for me. Age is not the issue. I finished seminary while my college classmates were tuning up their IRAs. I was ordinated while most pastors were writing their resignation letters. I co-founded a ministry as my peers in business were checking out Medicare benefits.
Am I nuts? No. With all this responsibility in my elder years, I can only do what God calls me to do. And that is to be faithful.
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).
Clearly, he is not done with me yet. So as he is faithful, I need to be faithful. I will do what he calls me to do. Not say no if I can say yes. Speak truth into those around me from a lifetime of failures buoyed by the power and glory of God.
Maybe being older isn’t so bad after all. Now, pass the Advil.
Encouragement for you: Age is just a number – maybe a very big number, but still a number. If you have one of those with a big number, you are blessed with the opportunity to share your godly wisdom with those you love and everyone else. If your number is smaller – listen to those with the bigger number. God has blessed you with each other.
Dive Deeper: Genesis 27:1; Numbers 12:7; Isaiah 51:9; Matthew 25:21, 25:23
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