Aging, but Ageless
Next month, God willing, I'll achieve a certain age-related milestone, one that's traditionally used in our society to signify what might politely be called "the beginning of the downhill slide." From a practical perspective, the only immediate impact I anticipate is the savings of a buck-and-a-quarter at the movies, which is nothing to sneeze at, by the way.
Still, when I contemplate 55, the overriding reaction is, "I'm not old enough to be that old!" I surely don't feel that old. In fact, I don't feel any different than I did at other "milestone" ages, dating back just about as far as I can remember.
A few Sundays back, our Bible study was in the first chapter of 2 Peter, which includes a passage (verses 12-15) where Peter tells his readers about the importance of remembering his teachings after he was gone:
The teacher paused and said something to the effect that Peter's comment about "living in the tent of this body" was a reminder that we're not purely – or even primarily – physical beings. She then threw out this tantalizing tidbit. "I think that's why we never really view ourselves as being as old as others think we are, or as old as our ages tell us we are." What she was saying is that in our minds and spirits, we're, well, ageless, because that's the part of us that will survive for eternity, long after this body has broken down and returned to dust. Our spirit recognizes this eternal truth, and while we may at times be able to subvert it with emotion and thought, that truth doesn't change.
Thus it's a gift from God to us, to see ourselves as an ageless being, regardless of what we see in the mirror, and regardless of what our inevitably decaying bodies try to tell us.
So, youngsters, the next time some old guy – say, an aging web designer (who might still be able to kick your rear on a bike, but that's neither here nor there) – throws out that seemingly lame declaration that he's not as old as he is, keep in mind that it's the truth. And it applies to you, too.
Funny, I had you pegged for 19. ;-)
I can't really identify a specific age that I "feel," nor am I able (willing?) to designate an "ideal age." There are times in my life when external circumstances were more enjoyable than others, but those had little or nothing to do with my age during those times. I suspect they'd have been just as enjoyable had I been 12 or 52.
Posted by: Eric at May 30, 2007 09:31 AMI don't feel so bad, now, as I approach my fiftieth!
Posted by: Jeff at May 30, 2007 03:28 PMSteve says, "I know I'm getting older when all my friends are starting to look like my parents."
It does sneak upon us!
Posted by: Janie at May 30, 2007 05:38 PMI for one, never thought of you as old. I think life gets better as we get older! It has for me anyway. You could probably kick my rear on the bike hehe.
I like the statement: And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
That's my focus right now. Giving Glory to God in everything I do! To that end, this is my mission statement with the kids I am privileged to know!
Posted by: Rach at May 31, 2007 07:08 AM"...dating back just about as far as I can remember" which isn't as far back as it used to be, because remember? you are getting older!! and isn't memory one of the first things that goes? And ... uh what were we talking about?
Posted by: lyle at May 31, 2007 01:11 PMI turn the big 5-0 in September. I think that means I'm a big girl now. I sure don't feel like it though. Would I want to be 21 again? NO! Would I like to have the body now that I had at 21....oh my gosh - YES!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: julie at May 31, 2007 02:14 PMI supposed I should feel flattered to attract such a youthful audience, but all I can think of right now is...youse kids...get off the lawn!
[Julie, there's probably a good country and western song title somewhere in that sentiment.]
Posted by: Eric at May 31, 2007 03:24 PMAbout the publisher
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I stumbled and fell over that particular milestone a few months ago, which is so weird, because on the inside I am still 17.
Posted by: Deborah at May 30, 2007 09:17 AM