What about the golden years?

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The summer holidays are almost over and soon cooler weather and shorter days will be here. For those of us who live in warmer climes, this may seem strange, but most people who live in the United States and other temperate countries will know what I am talking about. We expect, and in some cases, even look forward to the changing of the seasons.

We human beings also change, but more than likely, the changes that take place in our bodies and our minds are not in the least welcome. Weakened muscles, stiffened joints, slower faculties are not what we would consider the "golden years." However, this is according to the natural law, but what about the spiritual law? Are we supposed to change in our relationship with God? Yes. Only if it means that we are growing closer to him, loving Him more every day and depending more and more on His strength, rather than ours to see us through.

As we grow older life seems to get more complicated. Sickness, losses of friends and relatives, dwindling finances, all take their toll on us, but James 1:2 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." And Paul says, "If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer" (2 Corinthians 1: 6). And in this verse that should be the mantra of all Christians, he says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).

Dear friends, if life seems to have you strung out and feeling run over, take refuge in God's word. Not only will it give you hope, but it will strengthen you for the challenges you face. So I leave you with these words of the great apostle Paul: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15: 13).