Reflections on Getting Older

All of us have older saints in our community of faith. In many of our congregations, they are essential to the life and ministry we do. As someone who just celebrated my 72nd birthday, I have a vested interest in staying engaged and involved in Kingdom life for whatever time I have left.

Here are a few things I thought about as I turned 72. I share these ideas with lots of my peers. Maybe they will be of value to the older saints in your congregation.

Don't live in the past. It is easy to do as we get older. Sometimes it is the "good old days" syndrome. Everything was better. The world, the country, the church, the culture. If you are not careful, you spend so much time longing for the old days that you miss the life in front of you. And besides, the good old days really weren't that good. People have been people forever. Human nature doesn't change much, so I am pretty convinced that the good old days are mostly an exercise in selective memory.

But don't live in the past of regret either. It is easy to slip into regret over all the mistakes/sins you committed in the past. Or to dwell on the missed opportunities. Or to remember in detail all the wrongs done to you. And that helps no one—especially you. If you are a Christian, spend a little time thinking about God's grace and being thankful because you are forgiven. As for missed opportunities, resolve not to miss the ones that may be coming toward you. Past hurts? Forgive and move on. And if you are not a Christian, then be born again. I really don't know what to tell non-believers other than that.

Live for today. What a gift each day is. You learn to cherish each day even more as you grow older. Sometimes I just look around and thank God for the day. Watching the sunrise. Hanging out with my wife. Spending time with my kids and the grands. Looking at my dog or my cattle. Waking up in expectation that God is still using me. Being excited for what the day will bring. Still making memories every day. I am just thankful.

Be excited about tomorrow. I am a long way from being through. I still write sermons and classes to be preached/taught in the future. I still outline the next article or book. Building a barndominium/retreat center at the ranch. Asking God to use me until I am used up. Asking God to bless the plans.  

And what if my tomorrows don't happen?

It just means I have died and gone to be with the Lord. Forever. So of course I am excited about the future. It really can't get any better.

Thanks, God, for 72 years. It has been so much better than I ever could have dreamed. You have been so much better than I ever could have imagined.  

Keep doing your thing through me and in me.  

Until I get home for good.