Time flies

Don't we all experience a feeling, after a certain age, that the days, weeks, months and years seem to be passing by rapidly? Before you realize it, things which you hardly noticed before occupy your thoughts: diseases, pension issues, doctors, saying goodbye to parents, questions concerning the future, mobility, etc. In addition, we find that a little afternoon nap becomes physically beneficial even though one is not even 50 years old yet! It is trivial, but true: life ends and we get older! It is indeed as the Psalmist says: “labour and sorrow...and it is soon cut off”. An advantage is that as you get older, you see many things in a different light – so to say with a sober mind. You get to know yourself better. And you are not always pleased about what you find. What all did you perceive to be 'precious' just to find afterwards that it was actually trivial and dull? Where did you repeat the same mistakes again and again? As a Christian you are not a philanderer and don't want to be one. It is however allowable to enjoy your life in your youth. Ecclesiastes 11:9 reads: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” On the one hand this tells us that we are free to pursue whatever we like, however on the other hand we must do so within reason and responsibility before God, Who sees all things. It would certainly be advantageous, in one's youth, if one possessed the wisdom and foresight which comes with age.

Sometimes, one gains knowledge and understanding on how things function or don't function in life. However this does not come automatically and sometimes not at all. There are at least as many foolish as wise elderly people as youth. However, with experience one should also gain maturity, especially in a spiritual capacity. The spirit is the life. Ultimately we are, whether young or old, dependent upon the goodness, the forbearance and the mercy of God's grace because although we have received forgiveness, we are still sinners. And not few believers experience, through aging, that they have far less self-regard than they did in their youth. We realize that we need the redemption and grace of God much more, as we grow older. It becomes exceedingly clear that eternal life in heaven, which is a gift from God, is immensely valuable and extremely merciful, which we are undeserving of. Paul makes this point very clear in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This life which lies ahead of us, does not pass away – it is eternal, enduring and timeless. We must regard our temporary life from an eternal view and recognize that we are born of God, and have always had the kingdom of God in our hearts. God has accompanied us throughout our years, and is not angry at us. The LORD always meant it good with us (Romans 8:28). And in the not too distant future, we will move from faith to seeing and won't have any more questions. I look forward to that. Hallelujah!

Jörg Bauer