The Ultimate Solution to The "Age Old" Problem..

There are certain things in life that are inevitable. Death is for one, the most predictable thing you could say about a person the minute he/she is born. Growing old is another. I have always wondered what goes on in the minds of our senior citizens, every old man and woman in their late 60s or 70s. If they are not bedridden by then, they are among the lucky few, who can actually move around and get things done by themselves. In our fast-paced world, where everything - including our attention span, that lasts hardly 5 minutes these days - it is impossible to "slow down & enjoy the moment". I believe growing old is God's way of teaching us how to do just that. 

Let's say, you are in your late 70s right now. Thanks to the current lifestyle, you can take your pick from a wide range of co-morbidities (including the most popular - diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia) to accompany you in your old age. This is not a self-evaluation session. I do not expect you to have an amazing revelation and make life-changing decisions at this point in your life. So, at the very ripe (and soggy!) age of eighty, undoubtedly experience would have taught you enough and more to help you live the rest of your years/months. As each decade flew by, you would have played all your family roles - child, sibling, spouse, parent, in-law, grandparent. You would have had all your 'first-timers' in relationships and learnt from your mistakes. 

"All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players,
They have their exits and entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,"

These famous lines are from William Shakespeare's "The Seven Ages of Man". 

No matter the number of ages that pass by on this stage, every person has to follow the Ultimate Script.Psalm 139:16  says 

"Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began." 

What is the world's approach to something as inevitable as ageing? 

Think - fight, fright, flight. There is always a "fight" approach that the world takes on against any of its adversaries. We have endless brands showcasing countless products that help defy ageing. We do fall prey for items such as these, which help delay the process so that we have time to continue "making the difference" that we think we do everyday only because we appear young. We understand that these are futile attempts even as we purchase creams, dyes and what not. The 'ugly truth' stares at us as a mirror reflection, days after we run out of stock.

Now read this verse :

"Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16)(HCSB)

This is taken from the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, where he is emphasizing on something far more important than what is actually happening to us on the outside, as time passes by. 

The long story short.

When sin entered this world, Death walked in too and greeted us all. (Romans 5:12) But even as Adam brought this upon us, our Creator decided to work on the inside to replace (and not just repair) man's heart.  

(Ezekiel 11:19) (HCSB) "And I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh,"

The minute we accept this Creator as our Savior and Lord, there is a new creation that is no longer 'condemned to die' inside of us because the price was paid on the Cross where Jesus Christ died.(2 Corinthians 5:17)(NIV)"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" So the new creation that we really are on the inside, keeps growing and is thus being renewed day by day.

   

When the root cause is removed or done away with, there is definitely room for growth. 

I like the word "renew". Its shows progress, a difference that is obvious to anyone. In a good way. I have met many old men and women of God, who have their inner person being renewed daily. It is obvious in the way they talk, behave and respond to everything in life. Even if life is dull and lonelier than ever before, even when health does not permit joys of a life enjoyed in youth, they still manage to smile and live with no complaints. To enjoy such peace during a time like that, i believe it is possible only for the heroes of faith. The very same heroes who hope and wait eagerly for the second coming of their true Savior. 

And so, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ remains even to this day, the only free product (without advertisements!) that offers true beauty to your soul, body and mind. This product is supplied life-long, in daily sufficient amounts.

(2 Corinthians 12:9)(NASB)" And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

It will most definitely provide you with that irresistible glow which will draw more people to you, so you can introduce them to your Supplier in heaven.

There you have it, the ultimate solution to your Ageing problem. :)

A few lines from one of my all-time favorite songs should help you in the coming days. 

" Like Eagles" by Don Moen which is based on (Isaiah 40:31)(HCSB).

'... and i will soar on wings like eagles, 

     held by the hand of God.

     I will run, and not grow tired

     for on His name I call.

     For the Lord is never weary

     His ways are beyond our thoughts

     I will trust in Him

     with all my heart..." 

And as we cross our 60s, 70s and 80s, let this be our prayer along with the psalmist:

"Even when I am old and gray,

God, do not abandon me.
Then I will proclaim Your power
to another generation,
Your strength to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18)

May His great name be glorified.

#Martha