Musings Before My 79th
Today is November 6, 2024; 35 days before my 79th. I don’t know what to say or feel. Will I be sad because I am growing old fast? Or will I be happy because I am one of those who are privileged to reach this age? Not everyone has lived to reach this age.
According to this verse, the lifespan of man is 70 years, but if one is healthy, it can be prolonged, but only in labor and sorrow. In labor, because by then man has already lost most of his physical strength; and in sorrow, because there are many things that he can no longer do and enjoy that he used to do when he was young.
But I really don’t know if I will still be here on my 79th because the Bible clearly says in James 4:14: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Yes, I may be alive today, but
who knows what will happen tomorrow? Now
still at 78, I am relatively strong and
healthy. I have strong legs and I can still walk fast (I can even run if I want to). And I thank God for this blessing. But tomorrow?
I don’t know. Anything can
happen. Because I am not as alert and strong as I
was 20 years ago, I might encounter an accident or I may develop certain
medical issues. I don’t know. When people hear me say that, they will
surely think that I am a pessimist for thinking this way. That I am being paranoid.
Many people say that I am a negative person. That is, I see the negative side of things. That I am a pessimist. But I don’t think that is what I am. I would describe myself as a realist. I see the good things as well as the bad things in situations.
Having lived for nearly eight decades, I have experienced and seen many things – good times, bad times, happy moments, sad times, births, deaths of friends and family. I have experienced being bullied, as well as being praised. I have gone through financial reverses, being poor, but thank God, because of His mercy and grace, I did not remain poor.
Now, about that word “poor”. Being poor financially is a negative thing. However, as Christians, we have a Father who is rich in all things. He will give His children everything their hearts desire that are according to His will, as long as they delight in Him. However, because I also see Christians who are poor, I have second thoughts about that. But one thing I know: God will not abandon those who trust in Him, who obey His commandments. They may not be rich, but their needs will be provided if they trust and obey God.
I echo Psalm 37:25: "I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or His children begging for bread." Indeed, God is good. He is a loving Father, a merciful God, who will not leave or forsake His children.
When I hear the word “poor”, I am reminded of the first Beatitude that the Lord Jesus declared during the Sermon on The Mount:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
"To be poor in spirit means we must be humble in our spirits. If you put the word “humble” in place of the word ‘poor’, you will understand what the Lord Jesus meant. In other words, when we come to God, we must realize our own sin and our spiritual emptiness and poverty. We must not be self-satisfied or proud in our hearts, thinking we don’t really need God. If we are, God cannot bless us. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6)."
Whatever may be my current situation, I know I must be grateful and content (and I indeed am!). 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Life is not a bed of roses, neither is it all challenges. I thank God for life, for family, friends, for good health, protection and provision, and for everything that He has given me.
THANK YOU, MY DEAR GOD, MY SAVIOR, MY ALL!
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