I remember being 19 in January, 1970 - and turning the page to this new decade I find it amazing at how fast the time has passed from then to now. To myself and friends I'm often caught saying- 'I never thought I'd be this young when I got this old." And, if you're a Boomer, you'll understand what I mean.
But, it could be worse - and I see evidence of this every day. Friends who are ill. Others who are broke. And many more who are worse simply because they've quit! Quit caring, quit trying, quit producing, and quit - and this is the saddest - just quit loving and giving.
I've felt for a long time - or perhaps just observed it - that what's most true of us seems only to exaggerate as we age. If stingy, we get more stingy. If generous, more generous. If sentimental, mushy. And, if mean, we just get more mean. Though I could be wrong because I never was a kid to kick a dog, and still don't - though my petting of one remains sparse.
Regardless, today I awakened to the decade of 2020 and wondered how in tarnation I got here with most of my hair, albeit white, still on my head. I checked some college football scores to make sure I wasn't dreaming, then put on my workout clothes to head to the newest fashionable gym of West Plano. The one where all the pretty people (or those who want to be) are. I greeted the employees - the youngsters with perfect bodies who work there and politely act as if we (the members) aren't old, just in need of some toning up. And I privately wondered whether they - in all their perfection - would be any better off than me when they get... (nope, I just can't say it - see my first paragraph).
But... of all the things I thought I'd feel back in 1970 regarding the day I made it to 2020. three things were not in the mix. First, I felt hope. Not hope as in 'wishful', but hope as in what is - my 'riches in God'. I thought of how the early church was hopeful, too, and visualized their conditions as compared to mine. How they responded to culture, calamity, persecution, poverty and even wealth. Paul wrote to Timothy to 'charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ... to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.' (1 Timothy 6:17ff). And to those who grieving - even over death - not to do so as 'others without hope' for their hope, in Christ, was as certain as Jesus' resurrection - and could be counted on. (cf 1 Corinthians 15)
Then, there is a second thought or 'feeling' - the thought of counting. Meaning, a desire to make my days on this earth count. To count for what matters. To bear diligence in the things that will make an impact in the Kingdom of God. For diligence is most noble when put to things other than self, and I want to be diligent in these.
Finally, there was a third thought - the idea of 'thought' itself. I awakened determined to put my mind to - as Paul wrote - whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
For, yes, at 19 I suspected that turning 69 would mean the end of things. How silly and 'millennial' of me (tsk, tsk). For this has not been so at all. And, if anything, I've learned this - that it's not about ME but HIM. He is -,and because He is this gives me hope. He compels me to live a life that counts. And, He, my LORD and my GOD, must remain the maker and master of my thoughts if the year 2020 and beyond is to be anything worth seeing.
So...
Yours for hope, for counting, and... for many, many good thoughts yet to come!
Happy New Year, indeed!
Pastor Sam
