Aging
August 12, 2001
Dear Friends,
Aging is not something that any of us want to do, but it sure beats the alternative. Think of the billions of dollars being spent to tell us that we don’t have to age. If we simply get the right plastic surgery, take the right pharmaceutical products, buy the right exercise equipment and wear the right clothes, we will live forever in a youthful state. We might be more successful looking for the mythical Fountain of Youth.
I had the opportunity this past weekend to attend my twentieth high school reunion. It was fun to try and figure out who these old guys were. Luckily I hadn’t changed a bit. They couldn’t tell who I was, but it was only because of their poor eyesight and failing memories. It certainly wasn’t the fact that I am a few pounds heavier (even without the hair).
The Bible has a lot to say about aging and all of the activities we will engage in to counter it. One of my favorites is “For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come.” (1 Tim 4:8 JNT) The experts agree that exercise can add years to your life. Some people have become so fanatical about exercise though, they are adding 10 years to their lives all of which they are spending exercising. God does have an exercise plan which can add much more than 10 years to your life.
As Leo Durocher at the age of 81 said, “I don’t want to achieve immortality by being inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame. I want to achieve immortality by not dying.” Leo is on to something here. It is not so much not dying at all, but what happens after dying that is important. God’s exercise plan “holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come.”
Unlike our natural bodies which deteriorate with age, the mind can and often does achieve the opposite. True, there does come a time when the memory starts to fail. For the most part, however, the Bible tells us that the older we get, the greater opportunity for spiritual wisdom we have. Life’s experiences coupled with a continued study and application of Scriptural principles give the aged an advantage unequaled by their younger counterparts. The key is to continue to pay attention to your spiritual health. A good diet of prayer coupled with exercise in the Word of God is key to spiritual vitality long after the natural body has lost its youth and vigor.
A sister recently reminded me of something I said years ago – “there is no spiritual Florida.” In other words, we do not have the liberty to retire from God’s service and metaphorically drive down life’s interstate highway in the left lane going 45 with our turn signal on. Older brethren may be the most valuable resource that we have. Look at the example of Rehoboam who lost most of his father’s kingdom because he listened to his young friends rather than the experienced older counselors. Their elders ability to lead by example and experience should not be squandered simply because the society around us values youth more than age.
Paul speaks to the important role of aging brethren in Titus when he tells them “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women.”
They say that youth is wasted on the young. Let us hope that old age is not wasted on the old.
Have a great week!
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