Day 8 - Issue 25
Psalm 90:12 NLT
'Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.'
Why is it that as a child, my bed was a warm, comforting and comfortable place to sleep, but now I lower myself with some care into bed, manage various degrees of sciatic pain and know that I will not be comfortable for more than six hours in a prone position? I’m still really active, the Oratory to manage, an e-learning business launched and much gardening to keep me vigorous. Yet I feel the aches and the pains physically in ways I haven’t before.
The psalmist encourages each one of us to take time to consider life ahead of us as well as life in the present. I can in fact take responsibility for the person who will emerge in the autumn of my life. Perception and behaviour always lie within my gift, and my choices engage my will and my prayer leans upon the Holy Spirit to encourage and enable me.
Wisdom is mined from such deep reflection. We can converse with others further along their journey with God. We can read the writings of the Church Fathers who plumbed the depths of God’s wisdom through contemplation and prayer. Old age, and all that accompanies it, need never be a surprise to me. I can craft wisdom from the rocks of my experience, even though that may cost me dear. Even though I want to be the centre of my own life, how much wiser I might be to invite God always to be at the centre of my life.
When I’m old, and therefore increasingly dependent upon others, if I have discovered how to be dependent upon God, the journey will feel so much more familiar. I will have become used to yielding control and comfortable with the reality that God goes before and can only take care of me. Circumstance can never wrong-foot the Lord. I may have to find a fresh level of grace, but that’s available if I have taken time deepening my friendship and trust in God.
QUESTION: Whatever age you are, take the time to determine how do you want to show up in life.
PRAYER: Eternal Father, satisfy my heart each morning with your unfailing love.
