September 2022 - LPNI

Why is it that some people do not like to be asked, "How old are you?"  Let me suggest that one of the primary reasons is that our culture and society has ingrained in us that aging is something to deny rather than something to celebrate as a gift from the Lord!  In Gen. 5:21-27 we learn that the Lord gifted Methuselah with 969 years!

It has been going on for a long time. Remember Frank Sinatra crooning, "Fairy tales can come true it can happen to you, when you’re young at heart?"  Notice the Hallmark greeting cards that continue to degrade and make fun of anyone between 40 and 80 with black balloons, "over-the-hill" language, and a general sense of negativism and decay?  There is an overarching mindset running rampant in today’s society that proclaims, "It’s bad to be old!"

"Old" is connected with the image of "mold" rather than of "gold".  We talk about "senior moments" but usually forget about the "junior moments" we all experienced in high school! Ironic, isn’t it, that young people want to grow older and many older people want to be younger!

But fear not, older people of God!  It is about time that we speak up with shouts of "We are never too old, and it’s never too late to celebrate!" Gray hair is a crown of splendor. Proverbs 16:31a NIV.  Wear your crown proudly!

We need not feel guilty of this phenomenon. After all, our society has never had to deal with 10,000 people turning 65 every day, which is currently happening. It is mind-boggling to realize that in the history of the world, two-thirds of the people who have ever lived to be 65 or over are alive today! Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will explain to you. Deuteronomy 32:7 NIV

So why not just "claim our age" and thank the Lord daily for another day to serve and celebrate him?  The great thing about getting older is that we do not lose all of the other ages we’ve already been!  We learn from them.  "Age fullness" is the sum of all of our experiences and what we’ve gained from them!

Living and aging cannot be separated. Aging is not a disease.  It is the process of living each day in the grace, mercy, and love of the Lord!  Aging means living – and living means aging!

This is why I enjoy talking about the fact that "aging is the only way to live!"  Attributing decline to aging rather than illness perpetuates the negative stereotype of older people as frail and debilitated.  An anti-aging mindset is really nothing more than an anti-living mindset.  Aging is not a disease but rather the natural process of continuing to live life to the full, knowing the Lord continues to love and care for us as we continue to serve and celebrate life in all ways possible!

So, aging people of God, let’s continue to shout out to others, younger and older, "We're old and we’re bold!" Don’t get over it!  Get used to it and get on with it!"

Let’s have more discussions with our peers and with those younger than us.  Let us age with pride rather than just trying to remember the "good old days"! There are still more "good days" coming as well, including today.   As we age, it seems as though it gets easier to focus on what truly matters.  Perhaps others around us will grasp that concept as well and will unite with us to change the negative mindset of aging into seeing it as a positive journey!

So, let me ask you, "How old are you?"  I am 82 and proud of it!  I encourage you to speak boldly and bravely about your age as well, even using fractions to be precisely correct, and rejoicing each day in the gift of life in the Lord!   Join me, and many others, in being an O.A.T – An Older Adult in Training!

A Japanese saying says it well. "The setting sun is no less beautiful than the rising sun!"

Dr. Rich Bimler
Rich@WeRaise.org<mailto:Rich@WeRaise.org>