Last Monday I began a series of quoted ponderings and Bible verses about growing older. We had a thoughtful discussion in the comments section and I thank you for joining, whether you added a thought of your own or simply read the conversation and gleaned. (You may want to click ~here~ if you have not read last week's discussion.) Again this week I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.
Today's thought is a quote within a quote . . . in which Elisabeth Elliot quotes George Macdonald . . .
"George Macdonald said, 'If you knew what God knows about death you would clap your listless hands,' but instead I find old people in North America just buying this whole youth obsession. I think growing older is a wonderful privilege. I want to learn to glorify God in every stage of my life." ~ Elisabeth Elliot
Do you see evidence of "youth obsession" in our culture?
Do you find yourself thinking more about death as you get older?
Absolutely! I think more about death as my parents and many of their generation leave this earth, and I enter the oldest generation. And, yes, our culture is definitely obsessed with youth. I agree with E. E. -- embrace the stage of life you're in and make the most of it, which includes giving God glory in how you live. The only thing that is challenging about growing older is the aches, pains and less energy, but even in those we can honor God with how we handle them. The most important thing is to stay involved in life, having fun, sharing with those younger than you ... and remembering it takes guts to manage all the changes that come with aging. I even like my gray hair, and say I "earned" each one of them. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am nodding my head again, Dotsie. I think giving God glory in how we live (at any age) is paramount. I hope that rather than grasping for youth as it passes me by, I can set my mind to honoring Him where I am. Thanks, as always, for your thoughts!
DeleteSadly, yes to both questions.
ReplyDeleteMedia tells us we must stay young, we must buy this or that face cream, we must dress to impress, etc. It has almost become a cult, and I can understand the young buying into the remorseless advertising.
Death is not something I want to overthink, but it has to be faced, and so do the practicalities. We have made a box for our executors with all the necessary documents in so that they wont have to search.
Our days are numbered, but they are also in the Lord's hands.
And it is so futile to hang onto youth.
DeleteI think you are wise to face the practicalities of death. And, of course, preparing for eternity is all important!
Love your last sentence, Elizabethd! Truth.
Yes and yes. (Oddly enough, I have just come from Amazon where I purchased some rose water based on the recommendation of a blogging friend. One of its selling points was a “more youthful appearance.” ☺️ Vain me.)
ReplyDeleteRemember the old, and terribly cynical, expression : “Life’s a bleep and then you die.” I used to change it to this: you get to die. So many who live long lives are more than ready to move to The Father’s House. My own father had asked my son, “How much more of this?”
So I agree with Elisabeth...we keep on with The Lord in all of life’s stages and, when our days are complete, He takes us to His house. Does it get any better than that?
Of course, heaven is a choice that each one must make for himself or herself. Thanks be to God for His gift of Jesus Christ Who bought our redemption, IF we want it (not because we deserve it).
Oh, Vee, you are so right . . . it does not get any better than that! I appreciate your last paragraph too, because we must accept that gift of redemption to reach that destination! Thank you for your contribution to this discussion!
DeleteOh yes, I do think our society is obsessed with youth. I frankly find it a little disturbing. Trying to look like we did when we were younger is a little foolish. I do believe a lot of it involves marketing that we can fall for or not. That being said I do color my hair and probably will continue to do so. Starting to go gray when I was 40, scared me then and for some reason still does!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes I do think about death. I am now the age my Mama was when she passed away. God knows the number of my days and it's up to Him when I will be with Him. ♥
I, too, think it's a little foolish to try to grasp youth. Why? Who are we fooling? About hair color . . . that is certainly a personal thing! I started turning gray when I was 35 and had a 2-year-old. (And my last child was not even born!) A toddler in a restaurant called me "Nana" and I decided right then that I would start coloring my hair! Yikes! That said, I grew weary of the process and went natural about five years ago. But that's me. :)
DeleteI am sure it is sobering to think that your Mama passed away at your age. Like you, I take comfort in the fact that God is in control of our days!
Yes, I definitely think our culture is youth obsessed. Although, I also have had the experience of going on stores and having the sales people be really rude because they think I'm younger than I really am. Then when they find out that I'm almost 40, they get nicer. It's so strange.
ReplyDeleteThat is strange. Of course, there is no excuse for being rude no matter what the age of the person. But does that mean that there is respect for someone older? Hmmmm . . .
Delete*Growin old ain't for sissies* ~don't know who said that. I am so grateful for the wisdom that comes with age+walkin with the LORD. There is more peace in many ways, peace in understanding how little i know ;-) and bein ok with that!!! That said there are also more anxieties, more aches n pains, and more loss. Those things are so hard. I too agree with E.E. I want to glorify God in every stage. Growing older i am understand *less of me and more of Him* is the best!!!~tammy
ReplyDeleteI heard my great aunt say that ("growin' old ain't for sissies"), and I've said it myself, because there are definitely challenges in growing older. But, like you and Elisabeth Elliot, my desire is to do it well!
DeleteWhat a wonderful quote! I first read it, then read it aloud to my husband and then added it to my Special Thoughts Document File! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think that quote struck you as it did me! It kind of stopped me in my tracks when I read it. Such a glorious thought to ponder . . .
DeleteI do think our culture is youth-obsessed, and a large part of that is the marketing industry. I want to act and be and look my best as I age, but I don't want to be ridiculous and grasp the vestiges of youth in denial of aging. I think there's a huge difference between having a "youthful" outlook on life; one that I equate with zest for living and a willingness to engage with life and an expectation of the Lord's work in my life; and a denial of aging.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Lorrie! I think you have hit on the ideal equation: keeping one's zest for living while acknowledging the realities of the passage of time!
DeleteI do see some who are trying so hard to stay young. Which always looks silly to me. Others are getting old too soon. I like Lorrie's comment about being young at heart and moving forward with the Lord. Another way to put it is to age gracefully. It's been awhile since I read a George MacDonald book. Maybe I'll pull one off the shelf. Have a good week Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Lorrie's thoughts too! It's a balancing act, isn't it? Wishing you a good week too. (What?! The week is half over already?!)
DeleteWe are youth obsessed in this culture! I've always tried to embrace the age I am. I am sometimes shocked that I am 54 years old, because in my mind I'm 30! Other than a bad back I feel young, and my mind is lively and active still! I hope to be that way until I die or the Lord returns!
ReplyDeleteI think we, as women following God, embrace each stage of life, thankful for the wisdom that we've learned through the life we've lived so far. I really wouldn't want to be 25 again, unless I could keep the lessons I've learned since then!
I don't try to compete with my daughters who are in their 20's and upper teens. I love them, and am proud of the women they are, but I'm happy being me.
Oh and I do think about death more now than I did when I was young, but its not in a morbid way. I just recognize that death is inevitable for us all, and I want to live my life well, serving the Lord, while I'm here.
DeleteDeanna, I echo so many of your thoughts! I, too, am thankful for the years that the Lord has given me so far and am content with my age. I, too, have no desire to go back and relive the years that are past. Not that they were bad (they weren't), but every age has joys and challenges and I think it's best to be content with the present. And, yes, I think of death more often, but it causes me to put life in perspective and serve the Lord while I am here, making investments in the eternal!
DeleteI most definitely think our culture is youth-obsessed...it's everywhere you look. I remember thinking that 63 was ancient when I was young and sometimes I find it hard to believe I am that old. I think there is a happy medium between wanting to stay as youthful and active as possible...I don't want to be old before my time...and the mindset that I see so many older folks have, especially some of our patients. So many seem to just give up and stop using their minds, etc. Some of it is environmental and negative family dynamics can play a huge part. I truly believe you are as old or young as you feel and I want to feel good. I would be lying if I didn't admit that my recent (and possibly ongoing) health issue hasn't stopped and made me think a little about death and it is more than just a little uncomfortable for me. It's not that I don't know where I'm going and the thought of seeing Jesus face to face leaves me breathless...I think most about who I'd be leaving behind. Not one of us is promised tomorrow even if we are young and healthy as a horse. Sometimes I think God allows sickness to increase our faith and to always be reminded that HE is the One in control.
ReplyDeleteYes, our view of "old" is relative to how old we are in the present! This aging thing seems to be a balancing act, doesn't it? So much to think about . . . with the bottom line, as you say, knowing that He is the One who is in control of it all!
DeleteI try not to buy into the messages from our youth-obsessed culture. Rather than focusing on appearance, I focus on health. Enough health problems befall us anyway that I want to do whatever I can to avoid the ones people bring on themselves. But I'm going to have to work on my attitude as well - and be positive about life at every age I'm privileged to reach.
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