Here we go again in starting a brand new workweek on this Monday, April 20, 2009. I received a wonderful note from my Uncle Asa regarding our calls and the floral arrangement sent to honor his recently departed wife, our dear Aunt Mattie Lee. He is 87 years old and nearly 25 years older than I am. My mom told me that Uncle Asa plans to take his motor home along with a towed vehicle and do some traveling as he deals with the loss of his beloved wife. He is eighty-seven and planning motor home adventures? Not only that but he also is planning on visiting my other Uncle who is also in his eighties and the two of them are going to do a fencing project. Wow! I know many days I feel like Old MacDonald because I get up singing: “Here an ache, there an ache, everywhere an ache, ache.” But folks like my mom and dad and my uncles encourage us to know that God may have much more yet to come.
While we cannot halt the ravages of time and gravity, we can know that God can still provide a meaningful life to us in the fourth quarter of the game of life. One need only consider th
e many billions spent each year on anti-aging products to understand our aversion to growing older and in particular in looking like we are growing older. And, let’s face facts; we do live in a world where the outward appearance counts far more than it should. There’s plenty of empirical data that prove those thought to be handsome or pretty typically enjoy worldly success in greater numbers than those who are not deemed to be attractive. We might believe that you cannot judge the book by the cover but that doesn’t mean the younger and better looking person won’t get the promotion.
While these factors may sadden those of us who can better appreciate the experience, wisdom, and value that comes with age, it will not change how folks have a predisposition to be swayed by superficial attributes. The good news is that we don’t have to sit right down and write ourselves a sad letter. No. We can get right up and make plans on what God would want us to do with the rest of the time He has in mind for us. We can be encouraged by the example of others who are older but continue to get up every day and make contributions to their families and their communities. And, even better yet, we can know that God has no concern whatsoever about the external looks we might have but He always and forever perfectly reads the thoughts and intentions of our heart. In the end, we don’t have to be confused about what He expects from our life. In the Old Testament Book of Micah, the Prophet gives these inspired words for our consideration in the form of a question: “He has shown you, O man what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To
love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Chapter 6, Verse 8) This question should be more than adequate to occupy my time for the entirety of the rest of my life, regardless of how long that might be! Some food for thought as we make our way forward! Amen. ….More later.
While we cannot halt the ravages of time and gravity, we can know that God can still provide a meaningful life to us in the fourth quarter of the game of life. One need only consider th
e many billions spent each year on anti-aging products to understand our aversion to growing older and in particular in looking like we are growing older. And, let’s face facts; we do live in a world where the outward appearance counts far more than it should. There’s plenty of empirical data that prove those thought to be handsome or pretty typically enjoy worldly success in greater numbers than those who are not deemed to be attractive. We might believe that you cannot judge the book by the cover but that doesn’t mean the younger and better looking person won’t get the promotion.While these factors may sadden those of us who can better appreciate the experience, wisdom, and value that comes with age, it will not change how folks have a predisposition to be swayed by superficial attributes. The good news is that we don’t have to sit right down and write ourselves a sad letter. No. We can get right up and make plans on what God would want us to do with the rest of the time He has in mind for us. We can be encouraged by the example of others who are older but continue to get up every day and make contributions to their families and their communities. And, even better yet, we can know that God has no concern whatsoever about the external looks we might have but He always and forever perfectly reads the thoughts and intentions of our heart. In the end, we don’t have to be confused about what He expects from our life. In the Old Testament Book of Micah, the Prophet gives these inspired words for our consideration in the form of a question: “He has shown you, O man what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To
love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Chapter 6, Verse 8) This question should be more than adequate to occupy my time for the entirety of the rest of my life, regardless of how long that might be! Some food for thought as we make our way forward! Amen. ….More later.
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