TGIF
When I turned 70 a few years back, I felt a big change in my life. I felt a number of health changes were occurring, none for the better. Now I know that my 80 and 90 year old friends are snickering “Just wait, he doesn’t have a clue what is in store for him down the road”!!!
I found I had more issues to deal with than I ever had earlier in life, I had more doctor appointments, and I had less energy to do all the necessary and fun things I was used to doing in my life. But I was fortunate in that my new health issues were not cancer or heart disease or other life threatening conditions, just signs of older age that was now slowing me down. These changes now also gave me the time to think more about what I should be doing, and maybe not doing anymore.
My body seemed to be screaming at me – IT IS TIME TO SLOW DOWN A BIT!!!!!! But did I want to hear that message and change in any way? No way!! My mind still wanted to do what I was used to doing when I wanted to do it – and my way. But my body was also telling me you need to slow down and smell the roses a bit more. Maybe you even need to give up a few activities, even though you still enjoy them, before you have them taken away from you. Maybe you need to retire and enjoy the remainder of your life and appreciate all that God has given you for so many years. Maybe it is time to be thankful for all you have and that God has blessed you with throughout your life, even though it may now be time to slow down a bit and alter your activities.
2 Corinthians 4:16 – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Although I cannot now do all the things I did 10 years ago, I can still wake up in the morning and be refreshed to hear what God has planned for me today (in my 2 Chairs moment). I can still serve him and others, just maybe in a different way from what I may have done previously. It is also thinking more about what I can do for others rather than for me.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 – So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
We need to stop feeling sorry for our new state of being as we age. It is God’s plan for each of us, and it doesn’t mean we cannot serve him anymore, it just means we may have to serve him differently! Maybe we can’t physically do as much, but we can still be strategic in knowing what we can … and cannot do anymore. Even if we can’t get out and about as much anymore, we still can call, text, email, FaceTime, Zoom, and snail mail our friends and loved ones – we can stay in touch and encourage our family and friends, even if we cannot get together as easily anymore.
Proverbs 17:22 – A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Be joyful in what God has given you today, rather than worrying about what you cannot do. Don’t lose your spirit because you have lost some of your energy, find a way to still contribute to God’s world, it will build you up and give you joy!!
Matthew 6:27 – And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?
Worrying will weigh you down, listening to God and speaking with him will build you up and give you a continuing productive life in your service to Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
His message cannot be more clear! God has a plan for you today! Will you ask Him what it is? Are you up to the task? Thank Him continually for what you have today, for what you can do for Him (and others) today, and don’t focus on what you can’t control!
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 –But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
In spite of our physical limitations, we are called on by God to follow Him and continue to share our love of Him with everyone we come in contact with – spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere!!!
May we all continue to walk with Him and serve Him every remaining day of our lives!!