153. EMBRACE OLD AGE. Isaiah 65-22

We live in a fickle society where a few wrinkles can devastate our self-worth. But you and I don’t have to be a victims to that value system. In the above Scripture the prophet Isaiah tells us “As the days, of a tree, so will be the days of my people: My chosen ones will so enjoy the work of their hands.” Someone once said “Age is an issue of mind over matter” So, build a strong relationship with God. Spend time talking with Him and reading His Word (Proverbs 3:1-2) says “Store up My commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.” Come to grips with the reality of ageing. You and I and everyone else have been ageing from the moment we were conceived. In fact, on the day we were born we were already nine months old. Therefore, fretting about getting older is as fruitless as worrying about the sun going down in the east every evening. Instead of concerning yourself with the length of your life, maximise every day of it. Each morning look into the mirror and announce out loud, (Psalm 118:24) “This is the day The Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it.” Always have a goal. It doesn’t have to be something big in the eyes of the world. Just something you look forward to doing with your hands and your mind. Elanor Roosevelt, the wife of one of America’s greatest Presidents, was reported to have said, “I could not at any age be content to take my place with a cup of hot coffee in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.” So if you don’t want to sit and look out of a fogged up window at a dark, drizzling sky in your closing years, thinking of what might have been, Read, grow something, contribute to and instigate interesting conversations, stay involved and live until your last breath. Are you one of those people who get depressed at the thought of getting older? Do you get anxious or fatalistic in your outlook? Studies show that good health is the number one factor in determining the level of happiness in old, age. So (1) Eat healthy and exercise often if you can and drink lots of water, take your daily vitamins and get regular medical check-ups. These efforts will not guarantee you more time, but they will help to improve the quality of your time here on earth. (2) Look your best as your budget will allow. When you look good, you feel good – and inspired. But keep your quest for attractiveness in balance. Remember God’s words to Samuel; (1 Samuel 16:7) “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them, People judge by outward appearances, but The Lord looks at the heart.” Think twice, and examine your motives, seek God’s advice and do your homework before submitting to cosmetic procedures some can be costly and downright dangerous. (3) Look for help from a trusted friend. Read what The Lord has to say to you: in (Psalm 92:13-14) “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in their old age, and they shall be fresh and flourishing.” So, if you are not fresh and flourishing, ask yourself these two questions (1) Am I truly planted (rooted) in the House of The Lord\)’ if something is planted, it needs daily attention, ‘feeding, and watering’ are you making sure you are allowing God’s Word to nourish (penetrate) your mind, not just reading it because that’s your daily ritual, after reading, do you question yourself,”What did I learn from that reading, More often than not, God speaks through His Word. Sometimes it’s better to have a short reading and learn something than a longer one rushed through and nothing gained. I find Jesus’ parables and teachings are really good doing it this way, because every time I read them I get a different angle or concept on the same story, and that can be rally interesting!! And what about your daily prayer, is it a conversation with Jesus, or Our Father God, or is it a menu of requests, It’s a good idea to look at the (ACTS table) Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication, that’s something I learned long ago, I like it because it puts God first; and me and my requests last and keeps me subject to His Will. (2.) Are you still bearing fruit? If you think you are too old to bear fruit it will show! your fruit will get less juicy, diminish in size and you will lack taste; because your heart will not be in it, You may need to examine and put in a little more effort in these areas. Growing older is not a walk in the park or being walked around in a wheelchair says this ninety year old, But, who said it would be?. In fact,The Word tells us there are multiple blessings for those of us who hang in there until the end. Yes, I agree we and what we think or say doesn’t carry much weight in the world, in society, or even in our families, to day; We get tired, ignored, forgotten and written off, even by Christians, occasionally we get irritable, mostly with ourselves for not being able to comprehend the changing jargon and technology of the day. And if one happens to have a disability as I do, that only adds to our frustrations. However, Here’s the good news, The God we have become so familiar with over the years, this God we know so well, love and trust so deeply is so with us, so close, so real, He chooses yo make Himself available to us, He talks our language, invades our thoughts and holds us tightly in His grip. there is nothing in all the world that can be compared to His eternal presence within us. And that is a special gift I believe, God keeps only for the elderly who keep on keeping on. I know I have it and wouldn’t swap it for anything on earth. So, embrace your age year by year, acknowledge each day as a gift from God, use it for advancing His Kingdom. He pays good wages to His workers, He provides for them, He defends them and keeps them safe in the palm of His hand day after day. Who could ask for anything more? Thank you for reading these words of mine on getting the best out of our Senior Years. “If The Lord is with us, who can be against us? God Bless. Phaline.