The Perfect Age

If you were asked what age you feel is best, it is likely you would answer somewhere in your 20’s.  Whether or not this is a proven fact, I can’t say, but years ago I heard that the human body is at its peak at age 23—then it’s all downhill from there!  This seems to fit with the world of sports—professional athletes are considered “old” if they are in their 30’s.  And it seems to be true for Hollywood as well—celebrities do their best to dress and look like they are 26 (eventually the plastic surgery catches up with them!). 

Now youth is a wonderful thing for sure.  As a matter of fact, I think it’s pretty safe to say that is how most of us start out (now that is some serious humor!); but is it possible our culture has become so preoccupied with young age that we neglect what we have to gain from old age?  Consider these words from Scripture. 

“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.  I am the LORD.” ~ Leviticus 19:32

“Is not wisdom found among the aged?  Does not long life bring understanding?” ~ Job 12:12

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” ~ Proverbs 23:22

There is a fascinating account recorded in 1 Kings 12.  Shortly after Rehoboam became king, the assembly of Israel told him he would win their hearts over if he would not be quite as harsh as his father Solomon had been.  To this Rehoboam conferred with the elders who had served under King Solomon.  They advised him to answer the people in a way that would gain trust and in doing so would really win the favor of the people so they would gladly serve him.  But Rehoboam didn’t like the response he received so he asked the young men he had grown up with what they thought he should do.  Their smug response is found in verse 10— “My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.”  The rest of Rehoboam’s reign was marked by evil, but I can’t help but think how his decision early on to reject his elders was perhaps a pivotal point in his life. 

What is your attitude about the elderly in your life?  Do you value their wisdom and give them the respect they deserve?  How can you show greater respect to those older than you?  If you haven’t already done so, choose an elderly godly man/woman you desire to be like.  Learn from his/her wisdom.  Old age can be a beautiful thing—it’s the direction we’re all moving in!   

Beauty from Flood Waters

Today I traveled 15 minutes outside of Loveland, Colorado to a ranch that was covered in flood waters a little over a year ago.  I have heard from others that the monetary cost to respond to the 2013 flooding in Colorado was greater than that of Katrina.  I have no source to back that up so I don’t know if it’s true.  What I do know is the devastation from the flood was massive. 

It’s humbling to walk the grounds that were once submerged by water.  It’s even more humbling to digest the pain and loss so many families experienced as a result of this flood.  But it’s moving to see restoration that is taking place and beauty that is emerging.  

As I walked the acres of the ranch along a riverbed, I saw both destruction caused by high waters as well as splendor in the landscape.  Both piles of toppled trees and spouts of seedlings.  A mangled fence driven into the ground as well as sloped lawn under the shade of trees.  Both extremes caught my attention and seemed to have so much to teach about life.  

I heard it said today, Jesus doesn’t look for teachable moments…He creates them.   I’m amazed at how Jesus, ever so graciously, by the indwelling Spirit, walks with me through the difficulties I face.  He doesn’t remove difficulties from my life.  As a matter of fact, some difficulties are brought about by Him.  But in those moments, I am more certain than ever, He is at work.  He is accomplishing something of beauty in my life.  Out of the pain, magnificence is birthed.  

I’m thankful for the remarkable kindness my Savior has for me and the way His glory surfaces in my life because of the struggles He brings me through.   Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. ~ Psalm 40:5a     

Got Any Change?

It has been said that the only thing certain in life is that things are going to change.  If I could change (haha!) that old adage, I would have it include God.  All else does change, while God in his nature and what He has said remains the same. 

When I was a teenager, after being out with a friend one night, I remember walking into our living room and being disturbed by the arrangement of our furniture.  My mom took the liberty to rearrange our couches, chairs, and end tables (how dare she!) and this greatly bothered me—so much that I verbally told her she couldn’t just reorganize our house whenever she wanted.  I don’t remember the rest of the conversation, but I can’t imagine it went all that well.  What I do remember was coming to the realization that I don’t like change.  And I’m really not all that alone in this. 

Change takes place all the time.  Think about all the changes that occur during the teenage years—physical growth, intellectual development, emotional maturity, and gained freedom just to name a few.  Other changes are sometimes subtle—opinions, music preferences, and what tastes good to you!  And how about this one?  Do you realize that the average American worker stays at his or her job for 4.4 years (Bureau of Labor Statistics in case you’re curious!).  If you do the math that equals approximately 10 different jobs between college and retirement.  That’s a lot of change!   

I’m so thankful that with so much in constant flux, God remains the same.  While God may deal differently with people or may allow for different methods to be used, His nature remains the same and will never be altered.  God tells us plain and simple that He does not change (Mal. 3:6).  Psalm 102:25-26 tells us that the earth will wear out just as clothing wears out, but God remains.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus Christ, who is God, is the same yesterday, today and forever. (13:8).  And James 1:17 tells us our heavenly Father does not change like shadows do.   

My wife asked me why I would choose to write about change.  My response was there have been a few small changes recently (a great summer intern just headed back to college and a couple of the junior high youth staff recently moved away).  In your lifetime you will see change.  Only God knows the changes that lie ahead for you.  But He can be trusted because the same God who made promises in His Word a couple thousand years ago is faithfully remaining…...the same.

Thinking About Tomorrow

If we were to look back at the last 100 years of church history in the USA we’d realize that a lot has changed.  Some of those changes have been good; many, not so good.  Most believers would agree that morality in America has been on a steady decline and it seems that with every step of decline society takes, the church follows right behind.  I’m waiting for the day when Christians wake up and say, “Hold on, enough is enough!  How did we ever get here?” 

It may come as a bit of a surprise, but I am optimistic as I look ahead.  Despite the spiritual decline we see in America, I am excited that true believers will stand out all the more.  You see it is “easy” to be a Christian in a “Christian nation,” but not so easy when a nation is intolerant of Christianity.   The farther society wanders from the truths of God’s Word, the more believers will expose how different they are from the world.  I believe it will only become increasingly more difficult to ride the fence and disguise our faith if we are going to truly follow the Lord.  This is what excites me because this is what Jesus intended all along for His church!  

So as we look to the future, I believe there is hope for the church.  The church may shrink in numbers, but it will only evidence who the true church really is.  My desire is that the body of Christ will realize how vain it is to try to blend with society.  I desire  to see Christians take a stronger stand for Christ.  I desire to see Christians excited to understand the relevance of the Bible and attend church with fellow Christians, not because it’s “the right thing to do,” but because they realize they need it!  I desire the church becomes confident that the world really has nothing that will satisfy the longings of the soul. I believe this is possible for the church of the 21^st century.  In countries where Christians are persecuted the most we find some with the strongest, most authentic faith.  The church is growing in parts of the world today and it seems to be in places where society is intolerant of Christianity.  God may use the spiritual crumbling of a nation to wake the church up.   

In America’s past, much of society looked to the church and God’s Word for direction.  Those days seem to be gone.  As we move into the future we must consider the cost and then unashamedly identify ourselves with Jesus.  A church like that will be worth being part of.  A church like that will, despite ridicule, be attractive.  A church like that will evidence that their focus really is on Christ, the true head of the church.  A church like that has a reward in heaven awaiting them.  I want to be part of that church, don’t you!  

Looking in the Mirror

                 One look in the mirror and you know whether you like what you see.  You know what internally goes through your mind and you know whether the voice you listen to is full of truth or lies.  With so many messages in our society today telling us how one must look, we must be grounded in the truth of the Bible to be able to sort it all out and retain a healthy self-image.  And even though we may know the truth, living by the truth is still difficult. 

                 The issue has been around a long time.  I assume people have struggled to have a healthy view of their bodies since the beginning of time; however, the number of body images we see has greatly increased over the last century like no other time in history.  The creation of movies, followed by television, put the images of people before the eyes of people more frequently.  Coupled with this is the idea of what the makers believe a body should look like—and their message is latched onto by society at large.  Magazines in checkout stands, billboards along the roadside, and the internet in the palm of your hand all only plant further ideas on what ones body is supposed to look like. 

                  Christians shouldn’t shrug off the image of their bodies.  They really ought to have the healthiest view out there!  The Bible teaches that people have been created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and that a believers body is the temple of God the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  This is what motivates a believer to take care of his body.  Eating healthy and exercising for this purpose is good. 

                  The danger comes when one becomes obsessed with what she sees in the mirror.   When a few pounds dictates the value he places on himself.  Or the mood she is in is determined by whether or not she receives any praise for how she looks.  When this is the case it becomes apparent that the lies of society have been listened to and believed.

                  Take good care of yourself, but learn to see the value that God has already declared on you when He made you.  Grasp His love and complete acceptance of you and readily pass the same on to others.  Find older people who have lost the vigor of their youth yet offer the depth of a beautiful spirit and maturity that has come from a personal relationship with Jesus.  Learn from them and ask God to help you learn to model the attractiveness of their character.  With joy and humble-like confidence, appreciate how God has fashioned you and give thanks to Him the next time you find yourself looking in the mirror.