Conquering Age

Continuing Your Journey with God

Introduction

I am an octogenarian, and I certainly do not claim to be an expert at conquering age. In fact, as the Lord speaks to me and I put these thoughts into words, I believe we are all learning together.

I know His grace is sufficient for every season of life—including being old. As Paul reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9) ESV.

We cannot turn back the clock. We each have only one life to live, and we must walk faithfully with the Lord until He calls us home. I believe I am as prepared for that day as I can be. I know where I am going, and that gives me peace. When I look back over the years, I can see much for which I am thankful. I have a sene of accomplishment and, by God’s grace, a deep contentment without lingering regrets. I have discovered that regret and disappointment do little to improve my condition in any manner, so I prefer to concentrate on the present and receive the peace that comes with repentance, forgiveness, and my personal relationship with my Creator.

Yet I must also admit something: I fear the unknown. Perhaps most of us do. Growing older brings questions that cannot always be answered simply. What lies ahead? How do we face the changes that come with age? How do we remain useful, purposeful, and spiritually fruitful when our bodies no longer respond as they once did? How do we surrender what we can no longer control while continuing to trust the One who has always been in control?

As I look around at friends, acquaintances, and others I have known throughout my life who are also growing older, I find myself asking many of these same questions. Perhaps you have asked them, too.

So, rather than pretending to have all the answers, let us explore these questions together. Let us examine what Scripture says, listen for the voice of the Lord, and consider what it means to walk faithfully through the mystery of conquering age. In doing so, let’s look at it this way: rather than considering that we are growing older, let us consider that we are continuing our journey with God.

Slowing Down

The first thing I have to acknowledge is that I am slowing down. I can’t do many of the things I once could do. There are things I still want to accomplish, but my body and circumstances increasingly tell me that I cannot do them the way I once did. And, quite honestly, that is frustrating.

I sleep more than I used to. I watch more television than I should. I know I don’t want to spend my days simply passing the time, but there are moments when I find myself asking, What else is there? I am already sleeping too much, and I certainly don’t want to spend whatever time I have left merely waiting for the next day.

So, yes, I am slowing down. But perhaps the more important question is not whether I am slowing down, but how I am looking at this season of my life. Is this simply a season of decline—a time to step back, relax, and enjoy whatever time remains while reflecting on the past? That thought troubles me. In fact, this makes me angry. And my response is simple: No! I’m not ready yet.

But perhaps God is asking me to see this differently. Perhaps slowing down does not mean that my usefulness is coming to an end. Perhaps it means that God is inviting me to discover a different kind of usefulness. The world tends to measure our value by what we can do. But God does not measure us that way. Our worth is not determined by how much we accomplish, how productive we are, or how much physical strength we possess. We belong to Him. Perhaps this season is not about doing less for God, but about learning to be more attentive to God. There is still a purpose for this season in our lives.

There are still things to learn. There are still prayers to pray, truths to discover, people to encourage, and words to write. There is still wisdom that can be gained and shared. And perhaps, most importantly, there is still more of Christ to know. So I have to ask myself: Am I slowing down because my life is coming to an end—or am I slowing down because God is teaching me to see my life differently?

I don’t know the complete answer yet. But I know this: I am not ready to quit. As long as God gives me breath, there is still a reason to get up in the morning. There is still a purpose for today. And if He has placed me in a slower season, then I want to learn what He wants me to discover here. Perhaps the goal is not to recover the life I once had. Perhaps the goal is to faithfully live the life God has given me now. And that changes everything.

Prepare Your Way

Many people experience pain in their later years because of sickness, accidents, and other circumstances. Yet Scripture gives us a perspective that reaches beyond the circumstances surrounding physical death. For those who belong to Christ, death is not the final destination. Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” — John 11:25 ESV

That does not mean that dying is always painless or easy. Death can involve suffering, fear, and grief. But for the Christian, death does not have the final word. Christ does.

Scripture also speaks soberly about the “second death” and the final judgment:

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:8 ESV

That is not a passage to take lightly. We should therefore prepare our way—not by preparing for death alone, but by preparing our hearts to meet God.

I have lived what I consider to be a good life. Not everyone can say that, and I realize that statement may sound presumptuous. But bear with me; I am learning with you. I must approach this subject from my own perspective. Whether you believe your life has been good or difficult, whether you are young or growing older, you are standing in the same place I am: today, at this moment, the race is still before you. This message is for you, too.

Here is my point: If you are in a good place spiritually—and I sincerely hope you are—you must not assume that you are beyond spiritual danger. Why? The enemy has not surrendered simply because we have grown older. You may have walked faithfully with God for many years. You may have overcome trials, learned from failures, served others, and grown in your relationship with Christ. But none of that permits us to lower our guard. Satan does not take a day off because we are getting older.

Scripture tells us:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

We are not called to live in fear, but neither are we called to become careless. Our confidence is in Christ, but our vigilance must remain. Keep your armor on. Be spiritually minded. Stay close to God. Remain grounded in His Word. Pray continually. Be prepared for spiritual battle—not because Christ has failed to secure the victory, but because we are still running the race He has set before us. And understand this: The attacks are not always directed at you alone.

• • Your marriage may be tested.

• • Your family may be tested.

• • Your friendships may be tested.

• • Those you love may be struggling under burdens you cannot see.

So what should we do? Read more. Pray more. Seek God more deeply. Encourage more. Witness more. Love more. Do not assume that because you can see the finish line, you have already crossed it. The race is not finished until it is finished. Paul understood this when he wrote:

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal.”  Philippians 3:13–14

There is something sobering about reaching the later stages of the race. We may have fewer miles ahead of us, but that does not necessarily make those miles easier. In some ways, they may be among the most demanding. Perhaps this is the most grueling part of the race. But it is still the race. So do not coast toward the finish line. Do not become spiritually complacent. Do not assume that years of walking with Christ make you immune to temptation, discouragement, deception, or spiritual attack. Finish well. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your heart tender toward God. Keep your armor on. Keep running. The finish line may be closer than it has ever been—but you are not there yet. But First things first: Seek God. Remain faithful. Finish the race He has given you to run.

You’re Not Dead Yet

You’re not dead yet—so don’t live as though you are! You are still here. You are still breathing. And as long as you are alive, there remains an opportunity to respond to God, love others, serve, repent, forgive, encourage, and grow. You stand at the threshold of eternity, and what you do with this moment matters. So do not waste today drowning in the regrets of “I should have,” “I could have,” or “I would have.” Yesterday is beyond your reach. Tomorrow is not promised. But today is here. Think of Julius Caesar following his swift victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela around 47 BC. He famously summarized his victory with three words: Veni, Vidi, Vici. “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

There is something worth learning from that declaration—not that we conquer life by our own strength, but that we should refuse to surrender while God continues to give us breath. If you are still telling yourself that you have accomplished nothing, that you have failed too many times, or that it is simply too late for you to change, consider this: You are still here. Perhaps you have stumbled. Perhaps you have fallen. Perhaps you have made decisions you deeply regret. Perhaps you have wasted years you wish you could recover. But you are still here. And if you are still here, there is still an opportunity to respond to God.

If change is necessary, change. If repentance is necessary, repent. If forgiveness is needed, seek it.

If reconciliation is possible, pursue it. If obedience is required, obey. If you have wandered from God, turn back to Him. Do not give up. You may not have another opportunity. You may not have another tomorrow. None of us knows how much time remains. That is why Scripture declares:

“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV

Now. Not someday. Not when life becomes easier. Not when you have everything figured out. Now is the day of salvation. Jesus Christ conquered sin and death through His sacrificial death and resurrection. His resurrection is the foundation of our hope for resurrection and eternal life. But that hope is not a license to continue living for ourselves. Christ calls us to repentance, faith, obedience, and a life surrendered to Him. So if you are still alive: Do not waste the life God has given you. You are not dead yet. There is still time to turn. There is still time to forgive. There is still time to love. There is still time to obey. There is still time to seek God. There is still time to surrender everything to Jesus Christ. Perhaps that is precisely why you are reading these words right now. You cannot change yesterday. You cannot control tomorrow. But you can surrender today. Therefore: Choose life. Choose Christ. Choose obedience. Choose eternity. Choose Him—now.

The Provision of Time

A while back, I wrote a blog titled The Glorious Gift of Age. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so. I am not going to repeat what I wrote there. Instead, I want to continue the thought from another perspective: The Provision of Time.

When we think about growing older, we often think about the memories we have accumulated—the good times, the difficult times, the people we have known, and the experiences we have shared. But there is something deeper we should consider. Wisdom comes through time spent. Time gives us opportunities to learn, experience, make mistakes, recover, grow, and—if we are willing—become wiser. Experience gained through years can then be passed on to others. In this way, the time God gives us becomes something more than our own possession. It becomes an opportunity to invest in the lives of those who come after us. And eventually, that time comes to an end.

A legacy can only be left when the life that created it is finished. When we depart this world, those who remain are left with what we taught them, how we treated them, what we demonstrated by our lives, and the memories we created with them. So here is a question worth asking while there is still time: What will others remember about you? Will they remember a life well spent—or a life largely wasted? That question reaches far beyond financial assets, possessions, property, or anything else we might leave behind. Material legacies have their place. But spiritual legacies matter far more. What did your life teach your family and others about God? What did your friends see in the way you lived? What did your relatives and acquaintances learn from your words, your conduct, your faith, and even the way you handled suffering? Did your life point people toward Christ? If it did, then your legacy can continue speaking long after your voice is silent.

The greatest legacy we can leave is not something that can be placed in a bank account, inherited, or sold. It is the testimony of a life surrendered to God—a life that points others toward the hope of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. That is a legacy worth leaving. We cannot escape the passing of time. Unless the Lord returns first, every one of us will eventually face the end of our earthly lives. None of us knows exactly how much time remains, but every one of us has been given this day. Time, therefore, is not merely something we spend. Time is something God has provided. And what we do with that provision matters. We cannot reclaim yesterday. We cannot purchase tomorrow. But we can choose what we do with today. Perhaps we should stop asking only: “How much time do I have left?” And begin asking the more important question: “What will I do with the time God has given me?”

Scripture reminds us that our earthly lives are moving toward an appointed conclusion:

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”  Hebrews 9:27–28 ESV

Death is not the end of the story for those who belong to Christ. It is the end of our earthly journey and the beginning of an eternal journey with Him. So while we still have time: Love while you can love. Forgive while you can forgive. Serve while you can serve. Speak truth while you have the opportunity. Encourage those who are discouraged. Teach those who are willing to learn. And above all: Point those around you toward Jesus.

The clock is still running. You still have time. What will you do with God’s provision?

Conclusion

We cannot conquer time. It keeps on moving. Some of us wish it would move faster, and some of us slower. But we can overcome some of the issues of ageing. Our thinking – the way we look at it, primarily. “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty.” Psalm 90:10

We octogenarians are doubly blessed, according to the Scripture above. I sometimes joke that I intend to live to be 120 years old. Someone is usually quick to remind me: “That isn’t what the Bible says!” I smile when I hear that. One hundred and twenty is not my goal—but God knows. He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. He knows the beginning, the middle, and the end of my earthly journey. David wrote:

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”  Psalm 139:16 ESV

I do pray, however, as we all should, not merely for the length of my life, but for the health of my soul. What good would it be to live 120 years—or even longer—if I gained everything this world has to offer but lost my soul? What would health, wealth, influence, power, recognition, or notoriety ultimately mean if I failed to know God and remain faithful to Him? Jesus asked the question that puts everything into its proper perspective:

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”  Matthew 16:26 ESV

As I have journeyed through the years and learned to face the realities of aging, I have given this much thought. I consider myself blessed—not because everything about my body or circumstances is as I would like it to be, but because God has given me another day in which to know Him, love Him, serve Him, and prepare for eternity. Age can take things from us. Strength may diminish. The body may become less capable. Things that once seemed easy may require effort—or become impossible altogether. But another reality should give every believer hope: While the outward man is declining, the inward man can be growing stronger. Paul expressed it beautifully:

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

That is the perspective I want to carry into whatever years God has ordained for me. I am not simply growing older. I am drawing closer to eternity. The passing of time is not merely something to endure; it is a gift to steward. Every remaining day is an opportunity to let God continue His work in me. Every breath is another invitation to trust Him. Every limitation can remind me that this earthly body is temporary and that my true hope is not found in preserving this life forever, but in the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ. So whether God gives me another thirty years, three years, or three days, my prayer remains the same:

“Lord, make me ready. Keep renewing my inner self. Keep my eyes fixed on what is eternal. And let whatever time remains be lived for You. For the goal is not simply to live a long life. The goal is to live a life that is pleasing to God—and to finish well.”

Enough Said

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV