how to view aging . . . stepping off from the discussion topic "regretting marriage" . . .

[com7fy8]

In our discussion "regretting marriage" >

4 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Everyone ages. Everyone will eventually be a wrinkled statue in a junk yard if they live that long. But that is not how we should look at it. 

Maybe we should talk about how the Bible says to view aging. 

It takes time to become a good old peach;

first there's that cute little buddy . . . so-o-o fuzzy,

then the green teen, not exactly mature; 

and then, even in your middle years . . .

oh yes, you can be oh-so colorful in all that 

peach light coming down all around you.

And yet, you're still going to get

at least a little bit bitter and sour,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .deep-down inside.

Because we need to go through some

. . . . . . . .heat of the summer 

before we can reach a ripe old age;

but then is when we can get sweeter and sweeter

and even more and more juicy,

because we made that commitment 

to learn how to love. 

"'Take My yoke upon you and 

. . . . . . . learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.'"

. . . . . . . . . . . .(Matthew 11:29)

 

Edited September 15, 2022 by com7fy8

[missmuffet]

What does the Bible say about aging/growing old?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

The Bible presents growing old as a normal, natural part of life in this world. There is honor involved in the aging process, because growing old is normally accompanied by increased wisdom and experience. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31; see also Proverbs 20:29). God wants us to remember that life is short (James 4:14) and that the beauty of youth is soon gone (Proverbs 31:30; 1 Peter 1:24).

Ultimately, the question of growing old cannot be separated from the question of the meaning of life and the concept of the legacy we leave. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon provides a sagacious look at aging and the issues related to it.

We are born with a natural tendency to “live for the moment,” but the ultimate futility of that approach is the subject of Ecclesiastes 1–7. As people grow older and begin to feel the increasing impact of their mortality, they typically try to invest their waning resources in projects that to them seem to hold more promise of lasting meaning in life, especially the hope of perpetuating their “name” in a lasting legacy (Ecclesiastes 2). Unfortunately, no one can predict what projects will have lasting value and significance (Ecclesiastes 3:1-15), and this normally leads to varying levels of disillusionment and even despair over life’s brevity and apparent injustice “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 3:16–7:29).

With the growing realization that satisfaction in such activities is invariably fleeting, Solomon’s hope is that people will grow wiser in the use of their God-given “portion” or allotment before they die (Ecclesiastes 8–12; see also Psalm 90:12). This wisdom grows in relation to our awareness of “time and judgment”—we need a divine perspective in the face of life’s brevity and apparent injustice (Ecclesiastes 3:15c–17; 8:5b–8, 12b–15; 9:11–12; 11:9; 12:14). The Hebrew notion of time in these passages combines the concepts of opportunity (the right time to act expediently when the occasion arises) and limited lifespan (only so much time before all opportunity is gone). The Hebrew notion of judgment in these same texts presupposes complete freedom in the use of our God-given “portion” in life as our desires lead us, yet with a concomitant accountability to the One who distributed our allotted portions. The New Testament counterpart to these concepts can be found portrayed vividly in Jesus’ parables of the ten virgins and the talents (Matthew 25), the two sons (Matthew 21:28–32), and the unjust steward (Luke 16:1–13).

Among the most disturbing aspects of growing old—especially in cultures that set a high value on rugged individualism—is the increasing frequency of senile dementia as human lifespan increases. It seems eminently unfair that people so afflicted should be robbed of their intellectual, emotional, and social vitality while their physical bodies continue to survive. Alzheimer’s disease is a particularly difficult pill to swallow because the cause is unknown and it does not seem to be related to any particularly bad health habits. While progression of Alzheimer’s can be stalled, in part, by continued active involvement in mind-stimulating and physical activity, progression of the disease is nevertheless inexorable.

The author of Ecclesiastes acknowledges this vexing unfairness from a human perspective (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18; 8:14–9:3), yet he offers wisdom to help us deal with it from God’s perspective, entailing the notions of “time and judgment.” With our inevitable disillusionment over the human condition—our universal depravity, uncertainty, and mortality—it is wise to remember that “for all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:4-6, NKJV). Knowing that they are accountable for their God-given “portion,” people should take joyful advantage of all their gifts, talents, wisdom, and opportunities in life sooner rather than later—before all opportunity to do so has ceased, before inevitable debilitation forecloses all opportunity (9:7-10; 11:9-12:7).

The thrust of this reflection from Ecclesiastes on growing old is that meaning in life is fulfilled in our God-given purpose, and our purpose is only fulfilled when we take advantage of our God-given portion in Christ, God’s promised Savior. While this portion may seem less fair for some than for others, life’s meaning will be consummated only at the final judgment when we receive our inheritance (Ecclesiastes 7:11) for the way we invest our portion, be it good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14; cp. 2 Corinthians 5:10). On that day, we will see God as eminently fair in His rewards, regardless of how unfair or unevenly distributed our portion may seem in this present life.
 

FOR FURTHER STUDY

Rethinking Retirement: Finishing Life for the Glory of Christ by John Piper

Edited September 15, 2022 by missmuffet

[com7fy8]

Thank you, Miss Muffet!

I of course would love to read anything you have personally learned and matured in, about this, also. 

There are so many who want to have a long life,

but they don't want to get old! 

[missmuffet]

6 minutes ago, com7fy8 said:

Thank you, Miss Muffet!

I of course would love to read anything you have personally learned and matured in, about this, also. 

There are so many who want to have a long life,

but they don't want to get old! 

The older I get the more God has me. The more He has taught me. He has His healing hand on my body. I am totally ok with growing old with God. 

[Starise]

I look at old age like the last part of an iron man marathon.

That last push is the hardest. We will face struggles that only a strong person who relies on the Lord will make it through.

As Paul said, I have fought the good fight I have finished my course. 

Much like that marathoner, we still crack a smile when our insides are about to explode, after we have lost many loved ones over the years. We have to do more with less and try to find some peace and enjoyment in it somewhere.

Time is kinder to some and not as kind to others. One man might pride himself in reaching 90 or 100 years old, but really in the scheme of things what's another 20 years? Especially if the course is exponentially harder? So be thankful for another day, but realize the wick has burned short and the days are surely limited.

Ask what God would have you do with those remaining days, however many they may be.

The name of the game isn't being the longest lived. The name of the game is to be ready for that next part. That eternal part we all go to next. 

This old world in its present state is not any Christian's permanent home. I am thankful for that. 

One day the lights will go out for us. That day may seem far into the future, but it could be tonight, so live each day as if if was your last.

 

Edited September 16, 2022 by Starise

[Marathoner]

When I was a lad, I would listen to elders chastise the young. 

Then came the day when I caught myself lecturing a 30-something client of the homeless shelter where I work. There I was, beside myself...

Figuratively speaking, of course. 

I sounded just like my elders did many years ago. Yep, just like they were. 

[Sower]

            Old age is a privilege.   Not granted to everyone.

“Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.”

                 Sow some seed...