As I write this, I’m at the age where I have more life lived behind me than life to be lived before me. If you are where I am, you may understand when I say, “It’s a weird place to be!” Sometimes, I feel like I’m in no man’s land without a job or a daily commitment. Other times, I think I’m lazy and need to repent. However, there are times when God speaks to me from his word and I am encouraged. This week as I was reading in the Psalms, I came across these verses.

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.” Psalm 92:12, 14

            “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:10, 12

I’m seeking to let these words sink into my very being. Yes, I’m past 70, but God calls me to bear fruit and to seek wisdom. You see, it doesn’t matter what I feel like as I start each day. I may feel useless and non-productive, but God has reminded me that I don’t have to be. In fact, he says just the opposite. Regardless of my age, I am ever full of sap and green which I believe is the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. He is the one who will give me direction in this life of toil and trouble. So, how do I continue to live with this in mind?

1. Believe – I need to believe what God has stated about old age. He doesn’t dismiss his “old” children. In fact, he uses us until our last breath for his glory and purpose. I was reminded of this today as I was speaking with one of the men from our church who has started working with the college aged kids. The remarkable thing about this is that he is past 70 on his way to 80. What a wonderful position for him to take in the church! God is using him and his experiences to influence these young adults. He believes he is to bear fruit.
2. Practice – I need to practice learning about God and never think I’ve arrived. God is so great, that in my lifetime I will still not know him as he could be known. My heart needs to be challenged by his word and by the teaching of others. My mind needs to desire to know more and not be satisfied with what I do know. The reading of his word is not an option but a necessary part of my day. It’s also good to be active in church services both as a participant and a servant.
3. Be aware – I need to be aware of the work God is doing in me and in those around me. My heart needs to be opened to confess and repent of sin. I need to be open to forgive as I’m forgiven by God. Where am I seeing God at work? What strides have been made by others in their spiritual walks? Have I changed in these aging years? Sometimes, we are not aware of the changes we make in our old age that are really not very good. We can become selfish, prideful, judgmental, and very particular. This is not acceptable and I want to be aware of these tendencies in my life. God is not finished with me and I can still change.

There are many more areas we could look at as we consider the aging process. These are but a few. However, the most important thing we need to do is be grateful for another day to live out our lives for God’s glory. As I pray each morning, I have determined to start with gratitude for the Lord’s presence in my life. I can be grateful for his steadfast love, his faithfulness, his strength, and every other characteristic he displays. This keeps me grounded. I realize that if today is my last day, I want to live it well. Some days I don’t feel full of sap and green, but God can still use me to bear fruit for the gospel. Old age is nothing compared to the everlasting life to come for those who know Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior! Let’s change our focus! Don’t desire the good old days! Desire life lived with Jesus!