Old Age as a Time of Harvest
As yet I am as strong this day as I as in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, and to go out and to come in. — Joshua 14:11
No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. — Romans 8:37
Author
Dr. Roberto Miranda
Summary: Old age can be a time of beauty, reconciliation, and inner healing, as well as an opportunity to discover neglected aspects of ourselves, cultivate new friendships, and resume unfinished projects. Our dreams are not nullified by age: the power of God and the principles of his Word enable us to move forward with confidence. If we use every circumstance to grow, even our failures, then adversity, the passing years, and their accompanying ailments can become raw material for personal fulfillment. With Christ, every stage of life has its own particular virtue, and each new day offers us the opportunity to become more like him and to know him in a new way.
Old age can be a time of great beauty, an opportunity to make peace with our loved ones and with ourselves. It can be a time of inner healing, when we finally bring under control all those negative energies that have caused us so much pain and conflict throughout our lives. It can represent an opportunity to develop new facets of our personality that have long been repressed; to try new colors in our attire, broaden our circle of friends, and finally undertake those projects we wanted to pursue during our youth but, for one reason or another, could not. An ancient Jewish saying declares: “For the ignorant, old age means wintertime; for the learned, harvest time.”
We can achieve our dreams no matter how old we are. Life is waiting for us to embark on the journey of knowledge, triumph, and personal growth. All that, and much more, is within your reach through the power of God at work within you! By applying the principles God has provided in his Word, we can confidently declare with the apostle Paul: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
For the person committed to making use of every circumstance in life for personal growth, there are no insurmountable barriers on the path to the summit. Even failures and adversity, the passing years and the ailments of old age—even those obstacles that cannot be completely overcome—can provide raw material for success and personal fulfillment. With Christ in our lives, every stage of life possesses its own virtue and beauty. Each day represents a new opportunity to become more like him and to know him in a new way.