Ecclesiastes 11:1-4
WE ALL laugh and joke about aging which has a brutally subtle way to make all of us reflect. We look at old folks as the object of our pity. One day, the harsh reality sets in that we now have become the object of pity...the old man or woman is now us.
I'm not sure how old Solomon was when he penned these thoughts.
Ecclesiastes 11 contains both rich wisdom and raw reality. Wisdom makes us count the blessings of life in the midst of aging. Reality makes us content and courageous to go on and finish well, not finishing ahead.
Quietly learn the wisdom of Solomon by opening our hearts to God and allowing the Lord to equip us to live wisely and end quietly. Remember, it's advisable to use our hearts, not our reasoning. Don't be defensive...be reflective.
Wise aging is about making wise investments in life. We immediately think of resources and profit when we hear the word “investments.” While this is correct, it's not complete.
“Investment” here really means generosity-specifically, the kind of generosity which confronts greed and materialism. We invest our resources so we can pour the returns into meaningful and God-glorifying relationships. Wherever life may bring us, growing wisely is extravagant investment in people!
Charles Wesley exhorted the Methodist of his time...get all you can, save all you can and give all you can! Grow old investing on friendships...along with it, take the risk of betrayal and being taken advantage of. Yes, be cautious but keep discerning, keep gaining and keep sharing!
We don't invest what we don't have. We start with what God has allowed us to have. God is glorified when we step in faith rather than staying safe. Faith is not walking in safety; it is living in full confidence that God is wise.
v In the fear of the Lord, take the risk to explore and expand. Don't wait for perfect and safe moments. Keep planting, keep relating, and keep daring.
v In the fear of the Lord invest on people that they might be what God wants them to be-generously providing opportunities to learn that others may have godly confidence to succeed.
v Use things, LOVE people.
Along the way, let us initiate more venues for friendships. Enrich it! Be a releaser, not a controller.
We will all age but to age wisely is not for all. Age is a matter of fact, aging wisely is a matter of wisdom. Wisdom is directly connected to the fear of the Lord.
Invest your resources wisely, prayerfully explore and humbly expand. Wisely choose and invest more on relationships. Don't fail to create a memory of warm friendships along the way. We will need it during your age. Nothing is more tragic than being alone and lonely.
Age wisely...thanks for reading.