Let's Talk About What It Really Feels Like to Get Older

I don’t know how much longer I have on earth. But the truth is, neither do you.

The older I get, the freer I feel to dream about the end of my life. Don’t tell me that I’m morbid; David prayed for God to bless him by teaching him to number his days (Psalm 90:12). According to him, the outcome of being aware of the brevity of life is a new wisdom that can’t be possessed any other way. Something about knowing how short it all is clears our heads and allows us to live wisely.

I know that I’m on the right track here. I’ve always been aware of the certainty of death, but it is shocking to me to arrive at this point and realize that it’s gone by so fast, it’s a blur. James said life is a vapor, a mist. One translation says it’s a burst of steam.

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

—James 4:14

If you are younger, you may scoff at what I’m telling you, thinking that old age is in the far distance. But trust me when I tell you that it’ll be here before you know it.

I suppose that, from a worldly point of view, it’s a depressing thought. But I have begun to embrace it as if it is a gift. I don’t know, maybe it’s because I have my eyes set on the prize that will be awarded me when I meet Christ face-to-face (Philippians 3:14). 

The apostle Paul said the same thing:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

—Philippians 1:21-24

I echo his words. If the Almighty has more work for me to do, I want to do it. But my greatest desire is to be with him. And when you think about it, being with him is a pretty good deal. No more sin! No more temptation! No more death and disease! No more war! No more politics! No more of anything that reeks of unpleasantness!

When a man lives like this, he isn’t likely to waste a lot of time on junk that is unimportant. That’s because he has his vision set on an eternal legacy. Regardless of what is going on around him, he is at peace because nothing can stop his upward trek to the throne room of the Creator. 

Another benefit of living life aware that it is brief is that it empowers us to cast a vision for others. I can tell you one thing: When I’m on my death bed, I won’t be thinking about land or houses or fame or money or anything like that. None of those things did a single thing to wash away my sin or give me immortality. 

He saved me from death, and in turn, I tell other people about him. My life is that simple.

So, I will be thinking about those I have been fortunate enough to have had a part in their turning away from sin and running to the Father. Since the day I gave control of my life over to Christ, I have made it my mission to make sure that everyone I meet has the opportunity to at least hear about what Jesus has done for them. 

I don’t know how much longer I have on earth. But the truth is, neither do you. I don’t care how young you are, it can come to a screeching halt in a split second. The question I had to answer at 28 years old was this: Who are you going to live for? Yourself? Or the one who died and was raised from the dead for you? I suggest you ask yourself the same question.

One choice leads to destruction, the other to life. I thank God that he allowed me to choose life because, now that I’m old, I have confidence that I have lived with purpose up to this point. So, I’m boldly approaching the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). But my confidence has nothing to do with my own ability to be good but because I’ve put my faith in Jesus.

If you’re still living outside of his grace, I would highly recommend that you take him up on the offer of new life. I can assure that you will never regret it. Not ever! If you do, it won’t be long before you realize that following Jesus was the best decision of your life.