Good morning,
I never expected that growing older would require so much creativity. I had no idea in my younger years that what I was able to do without careful thought was a gift that was not going to last the rest of my life. I did see some folks that seemed to fade early in their life cycle, but then there are always those who have a sharp mind and a reasonably strong body till the day they go into eternal retirement. Alas, I was not one of those chosen to be an example of clarity and strength. However, I have made a wonderful discovery that makes this stage of life a great adventure rather than a time of dread and loss. Since the Lord has told us that he has planned every day of our lives before we were born(Psalm 139:16), our loving Heavenly Father has built something into these years that makes them more than worth living. What could our Lord have in mind for those of us whose bodies are wearing out and our minds are finding blanks for words and names and how to get where we want to go? What goodness could possibly be involved when God makes us more dependent rather than more dependable?
The Lord gave us his perspective on this kind of situation to Isaiah many years ago. He said, Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. In my younger years I used to think that there were easy answers to the problems that people were dealing with. If only - - - was a standard way of approaching people who were struggling with big problems or dealing with ongoing pain. It never occurred to me that these situations were there to teach and develop those involved. Trouble and suffering are often training courses that God gives us so that we will be able to genuinely understand and lovingly care for the folks around us who are living in those schools on their way to finding their loving Savior. When weakness or pain attack us, it is then that we are most likely to see our teacher and hear his voice. He knows where we are going and why our path had to be this steep or rough. Our Father helps us to learn to be creative and dependent and thoughtful instead of self assured and self centered. It’s exciting to hear his voice or feel his strength when we feel that we are not up to this any more. What God has build into these years for us is that we will learn to listen to our Savior as never before. In Isaiah he promised, Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” What a joy to get perfect, loving directions from our all knowing Shepherd so that these latter years are still times of wonder and joy instead of dread and decay. Dear Lord, please keep teaching us the lessons we need so that we will finish our course here listening effectively to your loving directions.
Isaiah 30:20 Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. 21 Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Roy Wisner
