Growing Old and Being Happy About It

Let’s set aside any euphemism about growing old or ageing and face that for every year that’s added to our lives, we are growing old.

Yes, indeed, we can’t avoid growing old, not only biologically but in all aspects. When you are in Christ there is no excuse for not growing old.

Remember that Jesus Christ too grow in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).

As we live from day-to-day, doing our busy work schedules, interacting with family and friends, attending church, engaging in our hobbies, and fulfilling many other things that we have planned to do, we tend to forget about the time that have elapsed.

It seems that we become unmindful of time when we are just pre-occupied with the many tasks that we do each day to fulfil a bigger and larger goal in life.

Then comes our birthday reminding us that another year has gone by and another year has come.

As our birthday comes each year, we can’t help but look back and gaze forward.  We recollect past events in our lives that somehow were responsible in shaping and developing the present person that we are.

Also, we try to look forward and see what else do we need to do to meet our goal in life.

A pessimist may wonder what’s so happy about birthday when it means growing old and nearing your death day.

But the Psalmist wrote great optimism on growing old in Psalm 71:

1. In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.
3. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5. For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
6. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.
7. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
8. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
9. Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11. They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”
12. Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.
13. May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14. As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
15. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all.
16. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19. Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?
20. Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
21. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
22. I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
23. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.
24. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Well, we cannot stop the wheels of time from running nor be in despair for what growing old may bring.

Like Jesus, let us continue to grow more in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

May the message of Psalm 71 inspire us to embrace growing old and being happy about it.

I wrote this post as my reflection on my 45th birthday on May 22. I thank the Lord God Almighty for generously and mercifully giving me another wonderful year.

Thank you for all who greeted and prayed for me on my special day. Yes, I’m growing old and being happy about it.

I dedicate this post to all who are celebrating their birthday. May you also enjoy growing old in Christ!