In the last century there was a lot of talk about rekindling the fire. As if the flame of faith had gone out. Given the denominational wars and the liberal/conservative divisiveness a lot of the fire was directed at our fellow Christians. Yet another diversion our adversary throws in our path to keep us from being lights in the world around us.
As some of us grow older there is a subtle dimming of our flames brought on by simple exhaustion, family responsibilities, health issues, and of being sidelined in Christian service. Granted, it is true that in Scripture the older priests in Temple service were moved to less physically demanding responsibilities. But they never stopped serving.
In our Western culture there is a prescribed idea that when a person hits 65 they retire from the workforce. But there are some who are just hitting their stride. (Think Colonel Sanders and his Kentucky Fried Chicken.) Nonetheless, across the board, the older a person is, the more pressure there is to drop out.
Here are some ideas on how to reignite the fire, rather than throwing in the towel.
1. Eat right.
2. Exercise! Start small; then go for the Olympics.
3. Sleep right. As we age we really DO need all the 8 hours we can get.
4. Socialize! Especially if you are an introvert.
5. Keep your time with God percolating! Do not get stuck in a rut.
6. Try something new. Anything! Guitar. Dance lessons. Learn a new language. (Gaelic?) Sky diving. Writing your Memoirs. (If you can remember them.)
7. Take a course in psychology or Biblical studies. Or start an academic degree program.
8. SERVE in your church or community. Even politics. Just get out there!
9. Get back in the workforce in a completely different arena.
10. Just don’t give up and become a couch potatoe.
Much of my time is found investing in the lives of other people. Helping them discover things they haven’t thought of yet. Helping them discover who they are and God’s unique design for their life.
The point is that you don’t have to lay down and die just because you hit the big 65. You have a lot of life-lessons under your belt that others need to learn.
Gary
NEXT— The Shower— forgiveness, repentance, empowerment
Clueless Christianity 