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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
The Joys of Growing Old
Adam lived 930 years, Abraham 175 years, and David about 70 years. While no man is guaranteed any set number of years, each of us can have joy, even in those later years.
But how about the “aches and pains”—don’t they remove the joy? The threat of approaching death—does it not make growing old an unpleasant time? How can we make growing older a joyful experience?
MEMORIES
To use a computer term, we “old folks” have a lot of data on our “hard drive.” Things that recall events of the past, allowing us to enjoy times long past and temporarily filed away. Childhood. Mother. Father. Friends. Sometimes we can “set aside” even the very saddest of memories by overshadowing them with the good.
Living in the past has its pitfalls, Ecclesiastes 7:10, but remembering the past and re-living some good experiences is a blessing that belongs to those who have lived many years.
EXPERIENCE IN LIFE
When it comes to doing what needs to be done in life, there is nothing like “experience” to ease us through it. When we have already done something, we feel more confident to repeat it at a later time.
We are then liberated from the fear of the “new” and can be even more bold than when we were young. Yes, “senior citizens” can be a valuable asset to this and future generations.
FAMILY
“Children are an heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them. They shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate,” Psalm 127:3-5.
The psalmist was right—children are one of God’s greatest blessings, and their love is one reason growing old can be a rewarding time in any person’s life (Read Ruth 4:13-15).
Not every experience is a positive one. It is part of the nature of aging that one’s faculties begin to diminish. However, Paul wrote that, though our “outward man perish,” the “inner man” can be “renewed day by day,” 2 Corinthians 4:16. Wife, husband, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters—they can make those later years the very best of times.
Perhaps that is part of what Robert Browning meant in this passage:
“Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be.
The last of life for which the first was made.”
It is so important for families to grow together instead of apart. The later years have so much potential for good if a family is happy, united.
HOPE OF HEAVEN
The apostle Paul was likely in his later years when he wrote:
“I am hard pressed between two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better,” Philippians 1:23.
It is neither morbid nor fatalistic to long for our heavenly home. The bliss and beauty of heaven is not to be compared with any joy on this earth, and in our later years we can and should be even more thoughtful of heaven. Just as Paul, we can consider the needs of family, friends and brethren in Christ, yet still have a “desire to depart and be with Christ.”
INFLUENCE FOR GOOD
Powerful as the influence of our peers is, that of family still is the strongest on our youth. I never knew my grandfathers, for they died before I was born. But many of us were given the gift of a good example by our family, and that influence can be at its strongest when our years multiply. Health may fail and death prevail, but our example for good can remain with our family for ages to come. Their memory of our lives should give them accurate bearings on life far into their years, motivating them to provide the same for their children and grandchildren.
HOW CAN IT BE DONE?
I can truthfully say I am enjoying these years, and you can too. How about these bits of “advice” from one whose hair is thinning, waist is expanding and whose mind is wandering:
- Start now to create good memories for yourself and each member of your family. It will be a blessing as aging comes.
- Develop a positive attitude about life. It will take a lot of will power, but it will work.
- When minor aches and pains interrupt, remember the alternative to growing older.
- Look for good in all your friends and family. You may be surprised at the effect that can have today and in the future.
- Begin now to look for ways to alleviate the pain of those who are suffering and lonely. Much satisfaction can come from that now, and it will come back to you.
- Instead of reducing your activity among Christians look for ways to use your experience and be helpful to many others.
- Don’t be shocked when others disagree with your opinions. Be wise enough to consider theirs…..poor though they may be!
- Don’t let the bad behavior of others make you lose your temper.
- When it comes to “things,” put more emphasis on their personal value, not just their dollar value.
- Let others tell you about their aches and pains, but fight the temptation to tell everyone about yours. True joy is available to those who are good listeners.
Sure, aging will bring some tough times, but they can be your most productive times. It’s up to you—only you can make it so.
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“The glory of young men is their strength, the splendor of old men is their gray head,”
“O God, do not forsake me, until I declare your strength to this generation,”
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
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Astrology and the Christian
Many people place a lot of trust in their horoscope each day. They will not do anything without consulting it. They will not love, buy, sell, interact, nor conduct business without the approval of their horoscope.
Astrology is a compound word -- astros, meaning stars and logos, meaning word -- thus the word of the stars. Webster says astrology is "the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs…by their positions and aspects." Astrology is not respected by legitimate scientists as a science. Astrology attempts to foretell the future by observation and study of the positions of the stars, moon, the sun, and the planets. Astronomy, on the other hand, is "the law of the stars." Astronomy is a legitimate science; it is the study of the stars and planets and their effect upon the earth (tides, seasons, etc.), and a study of their positions and existence in the solar systems.
There are a lot of people who pay attention to astrology. According to surveys, there are from 10 to 40 million devotees. Daily astrological tables appear in almost 2,000 daily newspapers. Astrology is popular because superstitions guide the lives of many people and astrology is just another form of superstition. Astrology has influence because fear and anxiety cause people to seek guidance. A troubled world seeks guidance from something they believe to be greater than themselves. Astrology is accepted and the Bible, the true standard, is rejected. Why? Because the Bible tells people what they need to hear and not what they want to hear! All of these things, either alone or in combination with each other, have contributed to the craze of astrology.
Why is astrology wrong and not to be practiced by the Christian? Astrology was forbidden in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:26). "…observe times" is "one who interprets various omens as being either favorable or unfavorable times to undertake certain actions"). Astrology is idolatrous (2 Kgs. 23:4-5; Jer3. 10:1-5). The astrologer's gods are the stars and planets. Astrology emphasizes the creation rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:25). The heavens declare the glory of God and not the destiny of man (Psalm 19:1-6).
Astrology is contrary to the free moral agency of man. Rather than the "devil made me do it," some say "the stars made me do it." Astrology removes the natural bounds of conscience and common sense and "frees" man to do what the stars say regardless of right or wrong! Horoscope says, "Today you will find love with a stranger," and sure enough, one goes looking for love and ends up involved in an immoral situation.
Astrology also implies that the Bible does not supply every spiritual need (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). There is no void for astrology to fill; God's Word tells us how to live and it tells about all the future events about which we need to know. Astrology is not of God but it is after the commandments of men (James 3:15). Christians need to view this as the age of awareness and not the age of Aquarius!
Astrology is anti-Bible, it is anti-faith, and it is anti-God! What matters is not what "sign" you are born under, but how you have lived since you were born! Man would be much better off to spend time looking at and studying the will of God each morning than looking to see what his horoscope says! If you want to succeed in eternal life, be a follower of Jesus Christ - not a follower of astrology!
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