Growing old ∙∙

Growing old ∙∙

Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to be eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon, they disappear, and we fly away. – Psalms 90:10

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes and rain clouds continually darken your sky.
3 Remember him before your legs, the guards of your house, start to tremble, and before your shoulders, the strong men, stoop. Remember him before your teeth, your few remaining servants, stop grinding, and before your eyes, the women looking through the windows, see dimly.
4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now, you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom. You drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.
7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

Increasing Life Expectancy and Its Challenges

Over the years, life expectancy in the United States has steadily risen, barring extraordinary events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Consider these rounded average figures that highlight this upward trend:

The average current life expectancy for the U.S. in 2020 is 79 years
The average life expectancy for the U.S. in 1970 was 70 years
The average life expectancy for the U.S. in 1950 was 68 years
The average life expectancy for the U.S. in 1890 was 49 years
The average life expectancy for the U.S. in 1860 was 40 years

While this progress brings many benefits, it also introduces unexpected challenges as people live longer.

Outliving Our Bodies

With increasing life expectancy comes an unfortunate reality. Many parts of our bodies, such as our joints, eyes, and ears, often wear out before our lives naturally come to a close. Modern medicine has helped address these issues, leading to a surge in procedures such as knee replacements, hip replacements, cataract surgeries, and similar operations designed to restore function and improve quality of life.

This phenomenon reveals the ironic truth of aging. While advances in healthcare have extended life, they have also highlighted the natural breakdown of our physical bodies. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin poignantly remarked, “Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven’t committed.”

Why Has Life Expectancy Increased?

One of the primary factors contributing to the substantial increase in life expectancy over the past two centuries is the dramatic decline in infant and child mortality rates. Improved medical technologies, sanitation, and living conditions have given countless individuals the opportunity to lead full lives that would have been unimaginable in previous centuries.

Understanding Aging through a Biblical Perspective

The challenges of aging are not a modern concept. Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 presents one of the most vivid and poetic portrayals of old age and death found in literature. The passage employs the metaphor of a house slowly deteriorating into disrepair, ultimately returning to dust. This image aligns with biblical perspectives on the frailty of the human body, often referred to as a “dwelling place.” The gradual “taking down” of this house or tent serves as a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death (Wiersbe).

To illustrate, imagine building a custom home tailored to your exact specifications. On the day it is completed, it stands as a pristine realization of your design. Now, picture that same house after 50 years. The passage of time has taken its toll; repairs must be made, components must be replaced, and updates must be performed. By the 80th year, much of the original structure may have deteriorated, requiring significant restoration. Our bodies follow a similar trajectory as we age, bearing the marks of wear and time.

A Moment of Introspection

While longer lives bring opportunities for deeper relationships, wisdom, and fulfillment, they also highlight the fragility of our earthly frames. Aging reminds us of the impermanence of life and prompts us to reflect on its meaning and purpose. Just as we care for the homes we live in, we must also cherish, nurture, and prepare our bodies for the seasons to come. Life’s increasing longevity is both a blessing and a call to deepen our awareness of the fleeting beauty of our lives on planet Earth.

REFLECT & PRAY

If you must “sow your wild oats,” pray for a crop failure. In doing so, we hope that our reckless actions don’t bear fruit.

Father, as the years pass and I grow older, grant me the strength to stand unwavering on Your Truth, drawing closer to You with every step I take. May I find joy in sharing this deep connection with others, leading them to know You more.

INSIGHT

Embracing Life at Every Stage

Ecclesiastes reminds all the children of the King, regardless of age, to cherish life and live it fully. Whether we are young, old, or anywhere in between, there is wisdom in appreciating the days given to us. Life without knowing the Father is empty and leads to despair, but as children of the King, we are invited to experience profound joy and confidence through Him.

A Call to Rejoice

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 paints a picture of gratitude and awareness for all ages: “Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning! When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.”
“Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do within moral boundaries; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.”

This passage implores us to savor the sweetness of life, regardless of its season, while remaining anchored in the knowledge that all of it flows from and is accountable to God.

A Choice in Aging

Growing older comes with its challenges, but how we respond is up to us. Some spend their later years in fear, yearning to hold onto fleeting youth. This fear, known as gerascophobia, often drives people to seek extreme measures. For example, by 2018, over 18 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S., few of which were medically necessary. These attempts to chase the mythical fountain of youth reveal a deep societal struggle to accept the reality of aging.

But as children of the King, we can take a different approach. Aging can be a time of grace, wisdom, and service. Regardless of our physical limitations, we can choose to remain young at heart and strong in spirit. Many older children of the King display a gentle sweetness and kindness that radiate the light of Christ. Against the backdrop of a dark and challenging world, they shine brilliantly, showing God’s love through their lives.

It is an opportunity to serve the Father continually, regardless of age. Though we can never reclaim the energy of our 20s, we can devote the time we have left to fulfill His purposes, bringing meaning and joy to every season of life.

God’s Promise to the Aging

Scripture assures us of God’s care throughout our lifetimes.

Isaiah 46:3-4 reminds us of God’s faithfulness from birth to old age: “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”

In Psalms 71:18, we find the heartfelt plea of an aging servant of God: “Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”

These passages illustrate that even in later years, God’s presence remains constant. He invites us to use our experiences, abilities, and wisdom to glorify Him and share His goodness with others.

Building a Life that Lasts

The best way to enjoy a fulfilling adulthood and a peaceful old age is to lay a solid foundation early in life. Establish habits of health, holiness, and wisdom that will sustain you in the years to come. Avoid the decisions and paths that bring unnecessary trouble, and remain rooted in God’s truth.

Psalms 118:24 offers a daily reminder of the joy found in the present: “This is the day that the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

A Life of Purpose

Aging is inevitable, but despair is not. By leaning into God’s promises, we can experience a life rich in purpose and contentment, regardless of the passing years. Tomorrow is always the first day of the rest of our lives. Intentionally choose to live in service to your King, knowing that as His child, your life is meaningful and eternally significant.

¯_(ツ)_/¯3-16-2

© Dr. H 2025