Old and cranky or Mature and wise?

My birthday is running fast trying to catch me and will do just that on December 25! Aging happens to us all, and what is the alternative? Death!

When we are young we take so many things for granted, such as running up the stairs and back down again, dropping to the floor to sit cross legged and being able to read the fine print in your Bible which is laying on the floor in front of you and then standing up without having to hold on to the back of a chair, eating Pizza and drinking coffee right before bedtime without worrying about reflux or indigestion and many other things…

           of course I haven’t experienced any of this personally, but I have read about it in books!

I watch older people struggle in and out of cars, driving cautiously while young and impatient drivers honk for them to go faster.

John 21:18 Jesus speaking “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you clothed yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not wish.”

So, as we get older, do we find that people want to know what we think because we are, wiser? Well, not really, however, instead of just getting older why don’t we get Spiritually mature so that we really can help others?

How does this happen? Try starting this way:

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Cultivate understanding: 1 Corinthians 14:20 Dear brothers and sisters don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.

Follow the example of Christ: Ephesians 4:15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Philippians 3:15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.

Learn deeper truths of the Gospel: Hebrews 5:14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Overcome temptations: 1John 2:14 I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ… God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one. Not older, wiser and more mature.

Psalm 92:11-14 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.

My birthday is going to catch up with me no matter how hard I run so I guess I will try to be more mature and age gracefully… (gracefully???)