Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Reflections on Approaching 60



The arrival of another Groundhog’s Day signals the completion of another year of life for me.  This one holds a bit more significance for me as it’s one of those birthdays that marks the passage of another decade.  I don’t remember getting very excited about turning 10 or 20, but the next 3 decade markers each seemed a bit more momentous.  Anticipating turning 60 is a bit more sobering still.  Where has the time gone?  It seems that just yesterday I was saying “I do,” witnessing the arrival of our firstborn son, finishing up my formal education, heading off to the mission field, etc.  There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since each of those milestones occurred.  I’m left wondering, “What will the next decade bring, assuming the Lord allows me to reach 70?”  An even more pressing question to answer is “What would He have me do with my life in these coming years?”

The Bible is abundantly clear that we walk by faith and not by sight.  God doesn’t give us a detailed roadmap for the entirety of our earthly journey.  Rather, He expects us to trust Him with each new day He allows us to experience by His grace.  That certainly doesn’t rule out making plans or dreaming dreams about things we hope to accomplish.  It does mean that we must hold those dreams loosely in our hands, recognizing that life’s circumstances can suddenly and radically alter our best-laid plans. 

One thing I am committed to doing in whatever time I have remaining is serving the Lord wholeheartedly—giving Him my best efforts.  A great way to accomplish that is to live out our church’s mission statement: Love God, love people, make disciples.  I want those priorities to characterize my life in the years ahead.  How about you?

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