Aging is a bittersweet thing.  It provides us wisdom, but weakens our  bodies.  It affords us good memories – but also the bad.   It is a time of reflection of things accomplished and things left undone.

When we can admit that aging can’t be conquered, it can bring an acceptance of a body not fresh and young anymore.  It’s okay to have the wrinkles, the few extra pounds, the scars from this or that.  It  doesn’t mean that we like the evidence of aging, but reconciling to it can  bring peace if we think of it as markers in time and not that it makes us less than we were.

Thankfully, who we really are is internal.  We are not the outer shell that man too often judges by.  Rather, our true being is who we’ve become with what God gave us in the way of talents, spiritual gifts, and  opportunities.  It is how we’ve handled disappointments, wrong decisions, and pain of every kind.  Who we are, is based on how compassionate we’ve been, and how forgiving.   It is in what we choose to remember and what we choose to let go.  In essence, it is about our relationship with our Maker.

Aging points the way to the end of our journey here on earth.  We are nearing home – our real home.  We are shucking off the unnecessary and preparing for the eternal.  It signals a time to say goodbye to all that brought us tears and sorrow, and know that living in God’s glory will afford none of that.  We can close our eyes and meditate on the sweetness of living in the light of Christ, where we will rejoice with our Savior, and praise the Father in ways never experienced in this fallen world.

My friend, does aging fill you with dread or anticipation?  Are you looking for that day when you will be lifted on angels’ wings to the presence of the Almighty?  If you are His, there is no need for fear.   If you are not His, do not let another minute go by until you make that commitment to God.  Tell the Father that you believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, as your only hope.  Tell Him you repent of your sins and claim Jesus as your Savior.  Love on the Lord now, so that you may love on Him forever in paradise.

For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 (NKJV)