These days, there are all too many reminders of one’s mortality, both from personal experience as well as from what we hear from friends and acquaintances.
We become very aware that our “body is outwardly wasting away”, and so many instances of friends and family around our age or younger succumbing to health issues, or those who are elderly passing away very suddenly.
But as we were reminded in church this week, are we being “inwardly renewed day by day”? I suppose that is the challenge.
We knew from the day we were born that death would be inevitable, and the aging process will slow us down from our energy and natural metabolism peaks in our twenties. Whilst we try to eat healthily and keep our bodies trim and fit so that we have the capacity to function well for whatever the Lord may task us with, have we also been paying as much attention to moulding our characters?
We know in our heads that in all relationships physical looks or attributes pale in importance when compared to character, as specifically godly character. Nonetheless, our superficial nature tends to see us putting money, time and energy into maintaining outward appearances, or being swayed by others’ outward appearances, or smooth glibness.
As we age, do we do so gracefully? Not trying to “fill” all the wrinkles or imperfections, investing sums only the middle-aged can afford in the latest serums, whilst neglecting the inner work of virtues that become all the more important with each passing day in this world of horrors? Not only working out to have a ‘younger body age’ but being increasingly patient and wise in our words and interactions with all who cross our paths?
Of course this is easier said than done, which is why it is all the more important that we constantly remind ourselves of this.
I feel immensely fortunate to have great real-life role models of men and women who have aged gracefully and grown in wisdom as the years pile on.
Women in their 50s and 60s are still serving actively in Sunday School, engaging with and subtly mentoring the younger women by being interested in chatting with them, finding out about their lives and sharing their own challenges. They dress modestly yet attractively, and conduct their speech wisely, whilst being authentic and sharing deeply.
Men in their 80s are still coming for community dinners, helping out in the kitchen and in gardening, and going on mission trips which involve a plane ride and a 3 hour bus ride. Inspiring!
So some reminders to self:
- Keep serving in the church community, whether it is in music, sunday school or community dinner evangelism
- Engage with a small group of older women as well as younger women
- Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, and on earth, look to godly older women
- Do regular nature walks, eat healthily and don’t mind so much outward appearances fading
- Keep walking close with the Lord through daily spiritual disciplines of reading the Bible, prayer and fellowship
- Pay attention to growing in character, less complaining and more patience
We can do this! Let’s age well.
Like fine wine, let’s get better, not bitter, as the years roll by.
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