Passing Down Wisdom

Discovering a life worth living depends on choices rather than pretenses of happiness. It's important to focus on what can be discovered at every stage of life rather than strive to conceal the certainty of aging. Attempts to disguise aging become barriers to experiencing the fullness of life God provides.

In some cultures older people are honored for wisdom they pass on to the younger generations. Unfortunately, our society believes aging is an affliction and must be avoided. Self-imposed restrictions on aging often serve as hindrances for receiving the positive benefits of growing older.

My grandmother could not read or write due to circumstances beyond her control. Yet she gained incredible wisdom and passed it on to young people who were drawn to her. She was given the secret of Proverbs 24:14: "Know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." Grandmother discovered life was worth living at every stage of her life.  

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Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your mighty acts to all who are to come.

~Psalm 71:17-18 New International Version

Satisfaction Guaranteed

The sixteenth century Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was convinced a fountain of youth was hidden somewhere in Florida. If he could find it, he would remain young and wealthy. Instead, he was killed at age forty-seven by a Florida Indian’s arrow. De Leon and those who financed his search believed staying young and wealthy guaranteed happiness.

Our obsession with youth and happiness is actually an attempt to create a life worth living. Happiness derives from the Latin root hap, which means subject to change as circumstances change. In other words, happiness can fluctuate according to events and situations.

As we age, the more challenging it may become to recall the uncertainty and unpredictability of our youth. Aging may also generate a longing for the chance to choose again a life worth living. Personal satisfaction with who we are, is dependent on how well we serve others and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for us, which gives us a life worth living.  

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Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will be strong like eagles, soaring upward on wings;

They will walk and run without getting tired.

~Isaiah 40:30-31 Contemporary English Version

I am confident of this: that the One who has begun his good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ.

~Philippians 1:6 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

Growing Older with Peace

Screen actress Bette Davis declared, "Getting old isn’t for sissies." She determined to focus on every opportunity and then to choose her best option. She refused to long for the days when Hollywood projected an illusion of beauty and happiness. Getting older was troublesome for her, but each day was still worth living.

Robert Browning invited his sweetheart Elizabeth to "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be." He embraced an optimistic purpose for them as they grew older. Eric Hoffer in Passionate State of Mind observed, "The best part of living is knowing how to grow old gracefully." He believed passion for living could be experienced at each stage of life.

Growing old gracefully is possible by remaining at peace with yourself and others. Jesus said, "My peace I give you, not as the world gives, but as I give." Contentment comes from being thankful for what you have. Peace comes by realizing each day is a gift from God. So rejoice and be glad!  

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Long life is the reward of the righteous; gray hair is a glorious crown.

~ Proverbs 16:31 Good News Bible

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!

~Isaiah 26:3 The Living Bible

Joy at Every Age and Stage

Coming to terms with getting older is an issue that’s difficult for both men and women. As medical technology advances, the average age span continues to increase. You can live a healthier life for a longer period of time, but are you happier as our culture centers on youth and beauty?  

Youth carries an imagery of perpetual possibilities. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sums it up. “How beautiful is youth! How bright it gleams with illusions, aspiration and dreams.” We want to believe in a fountain of youth, in finding a lifestyle that guarantees happiness.

An adolescent girl expressed anger and disgust with her mother’s attempts to look, talk and act like her teen-aged daughter. Her mother insisted on being friends and hanging out with her daughter’s friends. It is possible to experience the joy and satisfaction that’s given to you by Christ Jesus at every stage of your life. Contentment is assured by accepting the identity God designed for you, so welcome his joy for living each stage of your life!  
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Young people take pride in their strength,

but the gray hairs of wisdom are even more beautiful.

~Proverbs 20:29 Contemporary English Version

So teach us to number our days,

that we may present to You (God) a heart of wisdom.

~Psalm 90:12 New American Standard Bible

Aging by Stages

It's not uncommon for a young person to want to hurry up and get older for the explicit purpose of having more freedom and privileges. The conflicts of late adolescence and young adulthood tend to center around identity issues that include separating from family of origin.

All too soon the days of youth are left behind, and aging seems to accelerate. The first real hint of this phenomenon shows up around thirty. Up to this point you've been considered a young person, but now you’re thrust into middle age, which may bring on an identity crisis that may have been brewing for years.

The Apostle Paul’s secured life made a radical shift from persecutor of Christians to someone commissioned to carry the Gospel of Christ Jesus to the Roman Empire. Aging within each stage of adult development includes defining what kind of follower of Jesus you aspire to be. Fulfilling God’s design and purpose for you produces joy, confidence and great expectations for all eternity. 

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So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you. Don’t veer off to the right or the left. Walk straight down the road God commands so that you’ll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you’re about to possess.

~Deuteronomy 5:32-33 The Message

Don't Be Bored to Death!

Boredom is a fact of life, and each person must learn to manage it constructively to prevent unwanted thoughts and feelings from dominating their mind. Boredom is the outgrowth of what’s happening psychologically. However, you have the power to change your thought patterns to what are challenging and meaningful.

  

When you allow boredom to take up residence in your mind, negative thoughts become repetitive. These thoughts are reinforced with low self-esteem. If you become perpetually bored, you may be vulnerable to excessive use of excuse-making that eventually impairs your judgment. Your eagerness to accept challenges to explore present and future possibilities is also impaired.

Boredom indicates the absence of inner peace and must be challenged with opportunities to change particular facets of your lifestyle. Being receptive to God’s purpose for you can begin now. God acknowledges, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Faith in these powerful words can change your life.  

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Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

~Proverbs 4:23  Good News Bible

For I am demolishing arguments and every barrier that is raised against the genuine knowledge of God, taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

~2 Corinthians 10:5 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

Thoughts that Monopolize

As the intensity of a thought monopolizes your attention, self-control increasingly becomes difficult. If the desire to possess an object intensifies, it has power to prevent you from regulating your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The capacity to think logically is in danger of collapsing as desire builds up.

An example of lust’s disarming self-control is David’s lust for Bathsheba. Instead of directing his mind to godly pursuits, he continued to bathe his thoughts in sexual fantasies. David knew it was wrong to enjoy these thoughts, for they would lead to the destruction of inner peace.

St. Augustine’s book Confessions exposes his battle with lust. "My will was wicked, and lust grew from it. When I gave in to lust, a habit was born and held me captive.” God gives you power to resist Satan and the temptations he hurls at you. "Greater is he that is in you than he who is in the world." Let this be your faith and confidence for deliverance. 

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Do not love the world or the things that are belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything that belongs to the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of one’s lifestyle – is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.

~1 John 2:15-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible