Gracefilled Aging

What is age?  As I get older I ponder about whether I am getting better with age like good wine or if I’m moving towards  getting crotchy and narrow-minded. Yesterday I had a wonderful lunch with 2 octogenarians.  They were delightful- so full of life and quick to relate stories from the past as well as what is current today.  As our lunch progressed, we talked of things of the LORD.  Both ladies have walked with the LORD for many years and speak from experience about God’s faithfulness.  They are both students of the Word and enjoy studying, discussing  and applying God’s word to their lives.  I was reminded of these verses as we talked.     Job 12:12 “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”    Psalm 111:10         ” The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” and  Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (NIV)
Just getting older does not make us wise.  Scripture tell us that understanding, insight and knowledge comes from God.  The knowledge of God comes from following his precepts- those things he has laid out for us in his word.  Studying God’s word allows us to grow and develop through our entire life.  It allows us to develop knowledge and understanding that only He can give.  That is what made these two ladies so alive and vibrant.  They were still seekers and are not content to “rest” in their age.  They want to know God more fully with each day.  One of these ladies was in a study group with me this year and she was always consistent to memorize the scripture verses.  I was convicted over this as I have used the excuse that ‘the older I get the harder it is to memorize scripture’.  Well, she made me see that it is not age that is keeping me from memorizing it is laziness.
What about you?  Are you ‘resting’ in your age-whatever it is?  Are you seeking to know God more fully with each passing day?  Are you seeking to apply His word to your life and hide his words in your heart?  Are you using excuses like- I can’t do that anymore? or I don’t have time?  Where is God wanting to stretch you and help you to grow?  You are never to old to learn- it is a lifelong proposition. While we still draw breath we need to be open to learning.   It will keep us young at heart, vibrant and hopeful in the LORD just like my octogenarian friends.
Blessings,
Linda