Aging but not old

God says: ‘I have created you and cared for you since you were born. I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Saviour’  Isaiah 46:3b-4 (TLB).

Each day, we age. We feel it in stiff joints, see it in the laughter lines around our eyes, and notice it as our families age too. Yet growing older does not mean we must feel old. Aging can be seen not as a decline into irrelevance, but as a sacred transition; a season of spiritual growth, deeper wisdom, and continued fruitfulness. When I think about retirement, I picture a shift from paid work to volunteering, serving others, and spending more time on the things that matter to me. This is not selfish; it is simply a different way of remaining useful.

It can be a time to discover that our worth is not tied to our career or physical abilities but rather to the identity we have in Christ. While the physical body may be slowing down, God’s Word tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16, that our inner self is being renewed day by day and we are not to lose heart in what we cannot physically do any more. In Proverbs 20:39, having grey hair is viewed as a ‘crown of splendor’ where it represents a lifetime of gathered grace, tested faith and words of wisdom to the coming generations.

Unfortunately, our society often treats aging like outdated technology but remember that God has a distinct purpose for every season of our lives. God encourages us to use what we can and what we have for His glory and to point others to Christ and His love and sacrifice for us. Our journey through life has been given for a purpose, our years are a blessing, they are to guide, instruct and point others to the eternal life prepared for us. Even though we may be aging, we are not old and there is always work to do in God’s Kingdom.

Lutheran Tract Mission has many resources to help you share the hope you have with family and friends. There are many large-print tracts and tracts to uplift and support you as well. Look on the LTM website www.ltm.org.au and find a tract that you can give to share God’s love with others.

Have a look at the LTM website: www.ltm.org.au
and search – Christian Growth: Resources | Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM)

In Christ,
Anne Hansen

Tracts

50699 – A New Beginning
70516 – God answers Prayer
50543 – I can do everything
70560 – In Time of Need (life)
70682 – Investing in Retirement
50811 – It is my prayer
70484 – The God of Peace
50755 – I will be your God