The older we get, the less interesting we are, especially in our culture here in the north.  In the southern countries it´s different, they tell me.

However it´s possible by God´s grace to come to terms with your age. Its  smile may still be there, for He hasn´t changed “even to your old age”  (Isa. 46:4).   Neither has the smile of grace.

Here´s what among many other things the old age has taught me:

My Bible is now my pilgrim´s staff  as never before.  The words speaking about the decay of “our outer man” while “our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16) is now more than beautiful poetry, but has a practical down-to-earth bearing on my day.

Your testimony may be more listened to when you happily tell your surroundings of what kind of glorious eternity you´re soon heading to.  They marvel as death and eternity are usually taboo among unbelievers.

At a lunch with old class mates I asked them if they ever talked about the near coming eternity, but they let me understand how irrelevant it was.  It shouldn´t be for “He has set the eternity in their heart”  (Eccl. 3:14) and God will in His righteousness in the afterlife confront them with their sinful past (Eccl. 3:15).  But they can´t explain away the joy of “living water” coming from my new life in Christ. It´s not a passing mania.

Old co-pilgrim, you may still radiate your inner youth in Him.  You are not finished, so don´t idle away your old age with worldly apathy. This poor world is waiting for a gospel word from you too, but is your soul dull, do pray with David, “Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation!” (Ps. 51: 12)

May 26, 2021 - jn