Old Age is Not Your Enemy
Why I'm Looking Forward to Growing Old
As I write this I'm only 24.
I'm two years out of college, two years into seminary and less than a year into marriage. It’s safe to say I’m still in the learning stage of life. I have a lot ahead of me.
But I have a confession to make—growing old is something I'm looking forward to.
Yep. You read that right.
Slowing down, balding, and getting closer to social security aren't seasons of life I'm dreading.
I know this sounds crazy.
For many today growing old isn't seen as a blessing but a curse.
Growing older is our enemy.
It means more wrinkles, less energy, and less sex-appeal. Old age is a burden. A constant reminder of what we no longer are: young, energetic, attractive, healthy, and blissfuly ignorant.
Age also brings a greater sense of the world’s brokenness and an increasing sense of loss.
And all of this is true, I'm not here to deny or overly romanticize about old age.
I just have one question.
What if that's not the whole story?
When we open Scripture we find a different view.
Proverbs says that "gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life" (16:31) and that "the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old" (20:29). The Bible treats old age less like something to be avoided at all costs and more like a friend to welcome with a smile.
A sign of godliness—of a life lived for God—isn't youthful vigor but gray hair.
The reason I look forward to old age is simple.
Growing old means growing in godliness.
One thing my two dozen times around the sun has taught me is that every year means growing closer to God.
Each year of my life I'm closer to God than the year before.
Each year I know more about myself and grow in my capacity to love others.
As I increase in age I see the ways in which I'm not loving others well. The ways my pride and selfishness manifests itself. The ways in which I fail to love my neighbor.
And each year I find new avenues of grace. New areas where God's mercy triumphs over judgment. Where the work of Christ speaks a better word than my insecurity. Where the Holy Spirit brings life out of the death which clings to every crevice it can find in my soul.
Each year I fall more in love with Jesus.
Don't get me wrong, I'm loving my youthfulness.
In this season of life I have greater freedom, more energy, and (from what I'm told) less body aches. Not too mention a full head of hair!
But when I think of the future I can't help but think that growing older means growing closer to God and growing to look more like Jesus.
And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the darkest days of my life are ahead. I have no doubt trials will come. Some years will be difficult—perhaps unbearably so.
But I'd rather be marked by hope, not pessimism.
With my eyes set on Jesus, looking toward the future, I'm believing "that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps 27:13).
One Book I’m Reading: Silence, Joy
A tiny collection of some of Thomas Merton’s writings, this book is wonderful.
Here’s 2 quotes:
"The requirements of a work to be done can be understood as the will of God. If I am supposed to hoe a garden or make a table, then I will be obeying God if I am true to the task I am performing.”
“A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be it is obeying Him.”
One Thing I Love: This Podcast👇
Thanks for reading! If this was encouraging to you, would you forward it on to a friend?
Its a pleasure seeing your growth as you matriculate through life, marriage, and seminary. Continued Blessings J.D. Tyler.
I was thinking about this same topic earlier this week. Admittedly, I wasn't thinking that growing older is growing closer to God, albeit I agree with you there. It just seems like growing old is a privilege these days. So many folks don't see the latter years of there life due to sickness, addiction or terrible accidents. It's been on my heart to treat each day as a gift, as others are probably wishing they had better health and life circumstances. Thanks for another reason to be grateful for my grays!