Forty

I've noticed that the older people get the less likely they are to take risks. Instead, they begin to sequester themselves more and more in their own little environment where they feel safe and secure. They tend to stay within the confines of their community, see all the same friends, and play it safe. It's as if they tighten their grip on life in anticipation of one day being forced to let it go altogether.

It's unfortunate because as people get older they tend to become more financially secure. Many develop sound judgement and the great wisdom that often comes with age. Professionally they are at the height of their careers and all the knowledge that goes with those careers. They may not be into the latest and greatest fads but they have the perspective to see when something is a fad and whether it is worth pursuing. If they don't know all the answers they at least know how to get the answers.

On the other hand, younger people tend to be more idealistic. They aren't holding as tightly to the reins of their life and are more willing to travel to foreign countries, try new things, and meet new people. Unfortunately, the finances and other resources for doing these sorts of things are usually in short supply. They may reassure themselves by saying that when they get older and can afford to do such things they will. What they don't notice is the tendency to hold on tighter to life the older they become until eventually those earlier aspirations are forgotten.

This tendency to hold onto life tightly is natural but not inevitable. We all must come to the realization that our lives could end at any time and in ways totally unpredicted. We could die quite as easily sitting at home in front of the television as out traveling on some foreign soil. However, when you're sitting at home in your easy chair it is much easier to maintain the illusion that you're in control of your destiny and that's what matters to many people.

Not everyone succumbs to this malady in old age. Some become ever more adventurous and loosen their grip on their lives as they become older. People like, Larry and Jean Elliot, who travelled to Iraq as missionaries. They sought to fulfill a higher purpose on earth. Instead of curling up inside their safe shell they were able to truly live.

It's possible to hold on to life more loosely without travelling to foreign lands or embarking on great adventures. It could mean spending time actively mentoring someone younger. It could mean giving of yourself to someone who needs you. It probably means that you re-discover your purpose in life and make a commitment to storing up treasures in heaven rather than trying to hoard them here on earth.

On this day, my fortieth birthday, I want to make a commitment to hold onto life more loosely. Whether I live another year, another 10 years or until I'm 100 years old, I want to live it doing what I know will lead to making the most of what I've been given. I want to take calculated risks for some higher calling. When I get old I want to have great stories to tell my grandchildren. I don't want to say something like this, "Well,lads, I spent 30 years shuffling papers around on some desk at my company until I finally retired and got my gold watch." Instead, I want to be able to show them what God has wrought through my faithfulness and courage.

I'm 40 now. I could start that long slow slide toward heaven or I could continue to climb the mountain. I want to continue climbing and seeking new ways to hold onto life a little more loosely.

Join me.

-JD Mays
May 10, 2004

This Is Your Life
by Switchfoot

yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
yesterday is a promise that you've broken
don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes
this is your life and today is all you've got now
yeah, and today is all you'll ever have
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

yesterday is a kid in the corner
yesterday is dead and over

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes

this is your life are you who you want to be
this is your life are you who you want to be

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

and you had everything to lose

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