Perhaps my readers will put up with a little personal contemplation. I am thinking today about how aging changes one’s perspective. I marvel when I consider that Paul was probably near 50 when he wrote his earliest letters, or that most of his letters in the New Testament were written when he was near 60 or slightly older. The older Paul writes differently than the younger Paul. Eventually the enthusiasm and expectations of youth wane. Reality sets in. One becomes aware of the fact that “I will not get everything done in my lifetime that I originally hoped.”
At this point, many people give up and quit. This is a major factor in the common definition of “retirement” in our society. Others renew their resolve and determine to choose the most important matters or most pressing priorities, and to commit fully to using life to accomplish the things that matter most. I call this version of life “reinvestment.” A quote I recently read says that our greatest fear should not be accomplishing too little, but rather in accomplishing a lot of things that really don’t make any difference.
All of this gives me pause and opportunity for reflection. I do not consider myself old—I hope to have another 15 years (at least) with energy and vitality to be involved in things that matter most. But I also become more aware each day that life is not a given, and that the opportunities and energy will one day fail.
The conclusion of these ruminations is that I find it important than ever to come face to face with myself. Here is my “take”: I am an aging man who wants to help share the good news of Jesus as extensively as possible. I want to facilitate evangelism, help in the task of planting and establishing churches, strengthen existing churches, train leaders, encourage the downtrodden, build families, and encourage other Christians to share the good news. This is my priority list: evangelism, mission outreach, leadership development, teacher training, Christian families, and healthy relationships.
“I am only one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. That I cannot do everything will not keep me from doing the something that I can do.”