Recently I was looking through some pictures from a few years ago when I ran across a picture of myself that shocked me.
The picture was taken in Kharkov, Ukraine in 2006 while we were visiting on our survey trip. A year later we were moving to Ukraine and beginning ministry, language learning and everything else involved with getting set up in a foreign country.
What shocked me about the picture was how much my appearance has changed in just 7 short years!
Did I get old in just 7 years?
The main difference I noticed was the color of my hair or lack of!
I tend to think of myself as still in my early 20’s but now photographs and the mirror are making me rethink that assumption.
Then I thought to myself why am I so concerned about looking old? After all getting old is a good thing isn’t it?
Then it dawned on me that our culture is constantly telling us that age is bad and that we should do everything possible to color the gray and hide the wrinkles.
The pursuit of youth
Our society spends millions dare I say billions of dollars on anti-aging gels, wrinkle erasures and plastic procedures all in the pursuit of youth.
But should Christians be pursuing youth? I say “no!”
In fact I believe that followers of Jesus we should pursue age not youth!
The problem in the church today isn’t that we are too old but rather that we are too young and immature. We have too many adolescent Christians who have failed to grow up.
Age is better
If you examine God’s Word you will find overwhelming evidence that age is far better than youth and maturity more desirable than immaturity.
- Age is to be honored
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.” Lev 19:32
- Righteous living leads to the appearance of age
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Pro 16:31
- Wisdom comes only with age
“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Job 12:12
- Spiritual maturity comes with age
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”2 Cor 4:16
- Age is a gift from God
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Exo 20:12
- And don’t forget that the older you get the closer you are to heaven!
How to get old faster
Here are a few suggestions I have for ways you can accelerate your own aging process.
- Don’t avoid difficult tasks
- Learn a new language
- Walk with people through their tough times
- Raise children
- Disciple someone
- Read God’s Word for yourself
- Learn from all your experiences
- Teach others what you have learned
- Serve others without expecting return
- Build deep relationships
- Be faithful in everything
- Commit to the long term
- Read books that challenge you mentally
Question: What other items can you add to my list? What activities have helped you grow up?
Bill (cycleguy)
January 29, 2014Dude! You are looking ooooold! Just kidding. You are looking mature. 🙂 I did this same thing just last week when I found a program from my college basketball days. Oh WOW! Lots has changed…drastically. But I’d rather it be that way than remain eternally young and miss out on so many lessons I have learned.
Caleb
January 29, 2014Amen Bill! I’m with you on that one. When I think back to all the mistakes I’ve made I’d rather just move on, grow more and keep looking ahead!
Larry Hehn
January 29, 2014With my beard very gray and the rest of my hair not so much, I get a lot of people suggesting that I remove my beard because it will make me look years younger. While they are right, I don’t want to lose my beard just so I can look young. Like you, Caleb, I’m starting to get comfortable with the idea of getting “old”. Thanks for the encouragement!
Caleb
January 29, 2014Funny thing is that when my wife and I got married i grew beard so that I wouldn’t look so young, now I’m scared to shave it and I probably won’t. I don’t want to find that i have a double chin or something like that under my beard.
floyd
January 29, 2014Excellent post, Caleb. What we cherish the lost world doesn’t have the wisdom to. I’d say one could age better and quicker by taking responsibilities for our actions and not making excuses like little kids.
Caleb
January 29, 2014You can say that again Floyd. It’s a point that we repeatedly try to teach to our children as well.
Thomas Mason
January 29, 2014Good post, Caleb. I’ve fallen into the trap of not wanting to age. I hate it because I’m short changing myself to live life in the moment. Here’s a little known fact: I look much younger than I really am. I credit it a bit as having good genes passed down to me. There’s a few gray hairs that want to present themselves, though.
Caleb
January 29, 2014Thomas I tell people that I look older than I really and feel younger than I really am. I guess that’s not a bad way to be. I’ll be praying for your gray to show up sooner than later 😉
Chris Peek
January 30, 2014Love this post Caleb! I have the opposite issue – looking younger than I am. The ironic thing is that I often relate more to those who are older than those who are my own age.
Part of what has helped me grow up has been my deep desire to learn and gain wisdom through reading. In addition, walking through trials that came with my wife’s health struggles over the years has definitely matured me. I would add traveling and experiencing new cultures to the list.
Caleb
January 30, 2014Well, Chris, I guess that’s not a bad problem to have, I guess there are trade offs either way. You summed it up well, having that desire to learn and gain wisdom is vital, it reminds me of how Solomon wrote in the Proverbs to seek wisdom as a precious jewel.
Chris Peek
January 30, 2014I have heard gray hair comes when having kids, so I know it’s going to catch up with me.
Betty Draper
January 30, 2014Oh my goodness that’s how I got old…love this Caleb…such a unique way of looking at aging. In Papua New Guinea the people thought I was beautiful when I stopped coloring my hair and it came it white. They respect the aged ones. For sure I have a lot more wisdom to use more of the knowledge I have gained through that list you wrote about. Going to copy that list brother and use it in our next ladies bible study. Good post.
Betty Draper
January 30, 2014Almost forgot to add to the list…step out of what ever comfort zone I am in has age me for the good, given me wisdom I would never had had I stayed comfortable.
Caleb
January 30, 2014That’s a great one to add to the list Betty. Being a missionary is always a great way to stay out of your comfort zone!
Fritzster
January 30, 2014Having capacity to laugh at yourself. Humility is so important: it guards knowledge so that it doesn’t break out in self-centeredness.
Caleb
January 30, 2014I couldn’t agree with you more, humility is vital. In fact humility is my word for the year, something my wife and I are working on together in 2014.
Lisa notes...
January 30, 2014Age is better–yes, I’ll keep telling that to myself too. ha. But when it’s accompanied with spiritual maturity, it is definitely true! I love your list of ways to get old faster. Excellent,
I hope you’ll share what you think of Strange Fire when you finish it. I haven’t read it myself; just read what others have said.
Caleb
January 31, 2014Lisa, I’ll definitely let you know about Strange Fire! Thanks for commenting!
Dan Black
January 31, 2014The wisdom one is most valuable in my opinion. I’m almost 30 and have learned a lot but know I’ll only grow in wisdom as I age. It’s definitely a good aspect of growing older. Great thoughts!
Caleb
January 31, 2014Dan you certainly have a lot of wisdom for someone who hasn’t yet hit 30! I think wisdom is all about learning from your experiences and the experiences of others and choosing to continue learning every day.
David Rupert
February 1, 2014This was just gold. Now that I’m 50, I wouldnt want to be young for all the money in the world. Aging well is a great solution, rather than aging quickly due to worry, alchohol, or despair.
Caleb
February 1, 2014That’s a good point David. We see a lot of people in Ukraine and Russia who look well beyond their age because of alcohol an drugs. That’s sad.
Barb Raveling
February 4, 2014I love the things you have on this list, Caleb. I would also add to pick an area of your life that needs to be changed and practice the consistent renewing of the mind in that area of your life in order to be transformed. The discipline of the renewing of the mind has helped me more than anything but Bible study.
Caleb
February 4, 2014Yes, Barb, renewing the mind is something that I need to be constantly working on. Now I need to think, which area to start with?
TCAvey
February 4, 2014Well said.
I’d add, take the narrow road. If you have two choices, go the hard way- you’ll learn more and be blessed by the challenges.
Also, don’t worry about being “liked”, just follow Christ.
Caleb
February 19, 2014Taking the hard road can give you some gray hair but often the hard road is the road God has called us to.
TCAvey
February 19, 2014Very true!
Loren Pinilis
February 18, 2014Gray hair is distinguishing 🙂
How about I compromise and just combine youthful appearances with aged wisdom? Oh, that’s not an option?
Caleb
February 19, 2014If you find out how to do that I’m sure you could bottle it and makes millions!