I Am Old

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. (Psalm 92:12-15 ESV). Well, I finally got my 2015 Tennessee whitetail in the freezer. I guess I was too picky during the early part of the season. I saw lots of deer, but none I wanted to shoot. Perhaps I realized that after the shooting comes the real work. And, I must admit that I had to call for help to get the deer loaded and out of the field. I am very thankful for friends to call at the last minute to help me load it. You know, I used to be able to such a simple task. After all, it wasn’t that big! I suppose I have to admit that being older has a way of sneaking up on you. Certainly this signals the end of me being able to say, “I’m getting older.” Now I am forced to simply admit that I am old. We all are in some ways arriving at that place where we simply don’t have the physical ability to do the things we used to be able to do. For some, that position called “old age” is something to be dreaded. It is viewed as a time of decay and decline, with physical aches and pains. Our circle of friends becomes smaller and smaller; and, the feeling that your best years are behind you seems to lurk in the background of our thoughts. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Old age can be a time of triumph, like the last miles of a marathon race where the runner feels exultant and deeply satisfied. The psalmist talks of people who, even in old age, are like productive fruit trees, fresh and green, full of sap. In old age we may have to renounce, but we don’t have to resign. As we age, there are renunciations to be made, what foods we can eat and what activities we can do; but, that doesn’t mean we have to resign from living. We may have to live differently, but we don’t have to live less. Life is an adventure of the heart and mind, two things that don’t grow old, unless we let them. Your face may be wrinkled, but your soul doesn’t have to be; nor does your faith. We are winding 2015 down. I hope you have accomplished more than you ever dreamed possible this year. Whether you have or not, let the changing of the calendar be an opportunity for you to renew your belief in the power and purpose of God for your life. I’m always excited for new starts. Let this New Year be such a time for you. Commit yourself to renounce the things you need to renounce and to renew your life! Don’t settle for resignation.