Aging With Grace

“Oh God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me oh God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” (Psalm 71:17-18 NLT)

Is aging just a bunch of bad news? Absolutely not (even though some days can surely be challenging)! There are some days when the older we get we can feel this way, but even though age may stop us from certain activities or make us feel left behind, it never ends our desire to tell others about the wonderful grace of God, and everything we have seen God do in our many years of life.  Getting older is not a time to merely exist, but a time to grow and bloom and age with grace. It is a time we discover our true selves; the persons we were created to be. We all know what a mature Christian looks like; they will have the fruit of the spirit: love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  A mature Christian is someone who has been on this journey for a while; they are bearing fruit and are content and satisfied with Jesus. In the Bible, the aged are perceived as resourceful people with valuable gifts to share for the good of everyone; and both the blessings and responsibilities of aging are to be accepted with gratitude and in a sense of stewardship.

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts20:24 NLT)

What do you see happening in your life over the next few years? Do you have a vision? What is more important to you-what you get out of life or what you put into it? Here are some thoughts on aging:

Becoming older means accumulating and cherishing precious memories.

Becoming older means keeping all doors and options open and not hesitating to try new things.

Becoming older is the opportunity to be still, and in that stillness, become more and more conscious of the timeless happiness and freedom we have received in His grace.

Becoming older is to hold on to an attitude of blessing, love, and support for others — and to express it in a tangible form.

Becoming older is the opportunity to become more and more aware of the wonder and magic present in even the most humble moment.

Becoming older means taking care of our bodies so that we can feel stronger physically, mentally and emotionally.
Becoming older means that time is running out and what are we waiting for????

The scriptures are full of promises of how we are blessed as we age, so growing old should be occasion to rejoice with a deepened commitment to do whatever the Lord enables one us do. What does God expect of us as we age? His plan for us as we mature is to develop a walk that involves habits of trust, praise, and hope with a lifestyle that nourishes and feeds the many wonderful people that crossed our lives. We can serve as mentors, teaching wisdom and virtue. And above all else…we can love. Love remains our last and best gift to others. The time of old age can be a joyful time of harvest if we have sown the seeds of good fruit.

“Old is authentic. Old is genuine. Old is valuable.” (Billy Graham)






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