A mother writes: “My four year old daughter Jennifer just
loves her grandmother. My mother likes
to talk about God with my daughter. For
example she asked Jennifer: “Honey, who made the trees?""Who made the
sun?" “Who made the animals?” "Who made you?” “God did,” Jennifer answered. They were having so much fun I decided to go
for a walk and left my daughter with her grandmother. When I returned, I asked how things
went. My mother said: “Fine. I walked into the living room to find toys
scattered everywhere. I asked Jennifer,
"Who made this mess?" Looking
at me with those big beautiful eyes, Jennifer said, "God did!"
Today we reflect upon the celebration of life. I want to thank Mavis Qualsett, our
Coordinator for Congregational Care for helping us recognize the 19 members of
PBPC who have reached the exceptional age of 90 or older. They have been on life’s journey a little
longer than the rest of us. But don't
lose hope, keep breathing, keep moving, for one day we will be happy to
recognize you in worship when you reach the age of ninety.
The number of senior citizens, of which I am proud to stand
among, is rapidly increasing in America . By the year 2030 one out of every five
Americans will be a senior citizen.
Life expectancy in the United
States in 1900 was about 47. Today, the average lifespan for men is 75 and
for women about 80. By 2040 its projected
that the life expectancy for men will be 86 and for women 91.
We value, we cherish, we treasure life. We try to extend it as long as possible. Some researchers claim that red wine, in
moderation, has been found to lengthen the human lifespan.
Our lifespan is of
course dependent upon a variety of factors like genetics, over which we have no
control. It is also dependent upon
social and environmental factors, which we can do something about, such as
having access to quality health care, positive social relationships,
maintaining a positive mental attitude, a healthy lifestyle, getting
adequate rest, eating a balanced diet, and finding effective ways to cope with
stress. Studies also clearly point out
the significant positive role that religious faith, prayer and worship play in
our journey of life.
We gain wisdom about life's journey from modern
psychology. Erik Erickson, the noted 20th
century American developmental psychologist constructed the classic theory of
the Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development. It ranges from the First stage - birth to 18
months to the Eighth stage - maturity to death. Each stage faces four tasks - a
psychosocial conflict, a major question, a basic virtue and an important event.
In the Eighth and final stage, which occurs during adulthood
from age 65 through the end of life, the Psychosocial conflict is - Integrity
versus despair, the Major question is - “Did I live a meaningful life,” the
Basic virtue is Wisdom and the Important event is Reflecting back on life. He writes:
“Older adults need to look back on
life and come away with a sense of fulfillment.
Success at this stage leads to feelings of satisfaction and wisdom and
the reassurance that they lived a meaningful life, while failure results in
having many regrets and feelings of bitterness and despair over a life misspent
and wasted. Those who feel proud of
their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. These individuals will
attain wisdom, even when confronting death.”
Now let us turn to the scripture for some biblical insights
about life’s journey? What truths do we
learn from the scriptures about life's journey from a theological perspective?
The Bible declares that human life is a gift from God, God
is the creator. We didn’t create ourselves,
nor is our creation an accident, a fluke of nature, a primeval event where
chemicals and gases bumped into each other and humanity spontaneously exploded
into existence. The book of Genesis
says: “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created
them, male and female God created them.”
Your life is unique, irreplaceable, matchless; there is no one else in
the universe exactly like you.
The Bible teaches that life is transitory. Our lives have a beginning and an end. The psalmist writes: “O God,
we are like a dream, like grass which grows up, that in the morning is fresh
and flourishing, and in the evening fades and withers.” Our lives are swiftly passing by. The days and years seem to fly by faster and
faster. Can I get an amen to that. Nancy and I are thankful and happy to be
grandparents, but Wyatt and Haven are already 2 years old. They are growing up fast, soon they will be
off to college, getting married, having children of their own, well I might be
getting ahead of myself just a little.
The Bible declares that suffering, pain, and disappointment
are part of life’s journey. Because of
human sin and evil life is not always fair and not always just. So we depend upon God, we depend upon Jesus,
and one another to help us get through the unexpected detours and challenges of
life.
The Bible declares that we were created for positive and
lasting relationships with God and one another.
The role of the biological family, friends and the family of God, the
church, is crucial along the journey.
The psalmist says: “Sing to the
Lord a new song; sing God’s praise in the assembly of his faithful people. Worship the Lord with gladness. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people.”
The Bible declares that life has seasons. We need to recognize them, to grow in them,
to learn from them, to be patient in them, to persevere in them, to maintain
courage and a positive outlook in them, and to trust in God’s guidance in those
seasons. Seasons of childhood, youth,
adulthood, seniors, marriage, singleness, parenthood, illness, seasons of
success and failure, seasons of spiritual or health crises, and seasons of
retirement.
Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under
heaven.” God establishes seasons or
special times in our lives. We need to
seek to understand God’s timing, God’s lessons, God’s moment, God’s purposes
and plans in the seasons of our lives.
Scripture says God wants to use us for His glory and purpose
at all stages of life. God is not
finished with us when we grow older.
There is no retirement in the Kingdom
of God
Remember when the angels told Sarah, Abraham's wife, who by
the way would have qualified for being on the list today, that she would give
birth to a son? What was Sarah’s
reaction? She laughed and said: “Shall
I indeed bear a child now that I am old?”
God’s plans will not be denied.
Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born. God had plans for Abraham and Sarah at their
advanced ages.
God has so created us that we can be useful to God at all
stages of life. Anna Mary Robertson
Moses, better known as grandma Moses, was 76 years old the first time she
started to paint. Tennyson was 83 when
he wrote “Crossing the Bar;” Lucille Ball was 77, when she concluded her
brilliant comedic career; Jack LaLanne celebrated his 70th birthday by towing
70 boats across the Long Beach Harbor while holding a rope in his teeth, being
handcuffed and wearing leg shackles.
That gives me something to shoot for when I turn 70. Sportscaster and Padre’s baseball announcer
Dick Enberg is still going strong at 80.
He just received a prestigious broadcasting award at Cooperstown , New York
The Bible speaks of the importance of maintaining a positive and hopeful attitude
along life's journey. I Thessalonians
says: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.” Life is to be lived in thankfulness for
God’s grace and mercy. It is to be
lived with a sense of appreciation for one’s blessings and gifts. Do you have an appreciation for life?
I quote from our friend, Rev. Dr. Jim Hagelganz, former
interim pastor, guest preacher and teacher on many occasions, from his blog which
I know some of you receive:
“God’s Lord’s Day Morning to my
Fabulous Family and Friends…Some things to think about: Confronted with
Choice. I was recently diagnosed with a
muscle atrophying disease for which there is no
cure. It can possibly be controlled but
it is progressive. (and as you know, I’m not a progressive politically) Facing
this, I am confronted with a choice. I can grouse, get depressed, feel down and
complain that I’ve been given a raw deal, etc.; or take another route!
I chose to take the other route. Psalm
139:15-16 says God, (the Transcendent sovereign God) “made all the delicate
inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. (God’s)
“workmanship is marvelous.” (God) “was there while I was being formed in utter
seclusion! (God) saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life
before I began to breath. Every day was recorded in your book.” (Wow, what an
amazing statement).
I totally and deeply believe this. It’s been basically a lifelong commitment.
My life began with God. God has been
with me throughout my life. Called me
and granted me his salvation. I’ve had a
great life, marvelous times and tough times – cancer twice, Diabetes, heart
problems when a child; now a heart pacemaker, other negatives with bumps and
pain, but many great times with fabulous family, friends, sports, a calling in work that made it possible to interact and have
positive impact on lives by sharing the gospel. O yes, some negative impact
too… I’m not perfect. As I look back I see the leading of God in my life; he
has led me through it all.
Now he leads me on another what appears
to be a difficult trail. It is
difficult for me to walk; often with cane, now possibly a “walker” which my
former doctor and friend used. Hands are
weak: difficulty using fork and knife at times while eating… deterioration is
taking place. My
choice? Well, God has been good to me all these years. He has led me in the
past. I believe he is leading me into a new adventure. Who knows what exciting
living is ahead… new people to meet--- new doctors, nurses, and others, people
to whom I may have a unique opportunity to minister. Old friends and of course
family are near too… O there will be down times, possibly some depression, but
I choose not to stay there. I’m choosing
to walk with God.
Also, there is a day coming when it
will all be over here for me. But I look forward to that day. (no I don’t want
to rush it) There is a spiritual that goes, “This world is not my home, I’m
just a passin through.” I remember that. (You are too! “The death rate is
100%.”) Jesus has gone on to prepare a place for me/us John 14:1-3. Wow, to be
with him and also all my family and friends who are already there. I’m ready to
go…
You see, I walk with God and it is an
exciting walk… many new things are coming and I am going to experience them.
Some good… some maybe not so good, but it is a new adventure and I’m not alone.
God is with me and I am basically happy. Concerned, yes! But living the adventure with joy. That’s my
faith! My choice! What’s yours? …something
to think about…eh? One of the meaningful
and joyful experiences of life is to love… to love you all…yep, I sure do. DAD/GRAMPA/GREAT-GRAMPA/UNK/CUZ/FRIEND/ETC.
I love what Rev.
Hangelganz wrote. God wants us to gain
wisdom in this life. God wants us to
glorify Him and love him and others. God
wants us to draw near to Him as God has drawn near to us in Jesus. In
psalm 90:12 we read: “Teach us to number
our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Lord teach us to number of days, to think
about them, to examine them, in light of our faith in God as we know Him in
Jesus Christ. Our motto in this
journey is – “I belong to God.” For how
you spend your years matters, it matters a great deal to God. The late Dr. Norman Cousins wrote: “Death is not the greatest tragedy which can
befall a person; rather, the tragedy is in what dies in a person, while he or
she is alive.”
Here are some questions to consider: “Will you glorify God
in all that you do?” “What is God’s
purpose for the years before you?” “Are
you going to serve and care for others?”
“Are you going to be generous with your time, talents and
resources?” “Will you strive to gain
wisdom?”
Let us truly celebrate life’s journey in light of the one
who is our dwelling place in all generations, from everlasting to
everlasting. Amen!
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