November 22nd, 2013 Commentary to Henri Nouwen's Daily Meditation

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--The-Challenge-of-Aging.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=0WtM9sca76k

In case the above link to Henri Nouwen’s Daily Meditation doesn’t work:

Friday November 22, 2013 

The Challenge of Aging

Waiting patiently in expectation does not necessarily get easier as we become older.  On the contrary, as we grow in age we are tempted to settle down in a routine way of living and say:  "Well, I have seen it all. ... There is nothing new under the sun. ... I am just going to take it easy and take the days as they come."  But in this way our lives lose their creative tension.  We no longer expect something really new to happen.  We become cynical or self-satisfied or simply bored.   

The challenge of aging is waiting with an ever-greater patience and an ever- stronger expectation.  It is living with an eager hope.  It is trusting that through Christ "we have been admitted into God's favour ... and look forward exultantly to God's glory" (Romans 5:2).

My Commentary:

The challenge of aging, what a funny title?!  I guess all of us “gen X’ers” can relate however.  As I’ve told people I’ve only felt old either hearing ‘80’s music or having 2 watts of energy past 9pm.  Seriously though, what we need to keep in perspective with “growing and going” as disciples of Jesus is that the big picture needs to be kept in God’s time.  Not only must we spiritually operate from an intentional place of hope and trust in the Lord but we must see that we, as a part of the body are bearers of Good News!  Living faithfully into the lifestyle of GRACE is a process of constant renewal.  An attitude of Gratitude should erase our anxiety about parameters of time and see the beauty of each new day as our New Life!

It is the Love of Christ that gives us New Life—he renews us daily in every way and shapes our paths by his prevenient GRACE.  Speaking for myself, I am always amazed to reflect on how God has transformed me.  It is daily that His gift of New Life through GRACE feeds me.  It is daily that prayer to Him enlivens me with new hope, trust and builds that solid foundation of faith!  The beauty of aging for the Christian should be seen as wisdom that shapes our hearts to be gifts of GRACE to others. 

God Bless Your Fridays!

Nicole Collins