“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14, ESV)

When is it desirable, even acceptable, to stop growing? Never. The thought of doing so is actually absurd. Why would anyone choose the path of least resistance if it leads downward toward stagnancy and irrelevance? Yet, that is exactly what I choose each time I prefer watching to reading, technology to nature, busyness to contemplation, anything to prayer. Inertness and lethargy betray us, while inspiration and perspiration transform. My sister commented on something I wrote recently: “Growing older seems to make me desire even more that sweet communion with God. It brings peace and order to a sometimes jumbled, busy mess.”

Good memories are blessings unless they are all you have to celebrate. The hardest part of aging is fearing our best is behind us. If we aren’t vigilant, we slide into silent despair. Each day becomes a cross to bear, not a banner to hoist and rally under. The greatest enemy we face in our senior years is resignation. Life is what it is; it will never improve, we only hope it doesn’t get worse. Many seniors I know, including myself, would make good Hindus. We dutifully fulfill our dharma—our duty—all the while longing for delight. 

In the doldrums it helps to consider Caleb, who at the tender age of 85 demanded, “Give me this mountain!” 

“And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.” (Joshua 14:10-12 | KJV)

Are there no more mountains to scale, no rivers to explore? Are there no lives to impact with the gospel, no one to save from the fires of hell? Are there no friends to mentor, no hurting to serve? Is there no Creator to worship, no Savior to know? The Father has not abandoned nor forgotten you, dear friend. He is patiently forging a trophy of grace. Lift up your chin and set your eyes upon the horizon. The glory of this life does not fade until exchanged for the grandeur of eternity. Love, laugh, serve, worship—above all, do not lose heart. Growing is evidence of living.