Happy Birthday to You!

I love birthdays. I started writing this post on the morning of my own 59^th. My family and I celebrated the night before with a wonderful meal and a great time together. They gave me gifts that demonstrated their love and thoughtfulness. I am a blessed man living a blessed life — the kind of life Jesus spoke about in John 10:10. 

For lots of reasons, not everyone loves birthdays. Many people suffer the painful effects of bad health, and birthdays are a regular reminder of some of the challenges they face with aging. For some, the fear of death is overwhelming, and birthdays are an annual reminder of their own mortality.  

But aging has benefits. I often receive senior coffee at McDonald’s these days without asking for it. I’m not even sure how old you have to be to get senior coffee, but apparently the people behind the counter think I am old enough.  

But there are other, more serious benefits of getting older. Here are a few worth mentioning:  

1. Aging is a gift from God. Psalm 90:10 reminds us that our days are in God’s hands. The verse says, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” Even though life is replete with challenges and difficulties — or losses and crosses as some say — it is nevertheless a blessing. God has been gracious to us and being around to spend time with our loved ones and serve Jesus is a gift.  

2. Aging is a gracious reminder. Hebrews 9:27 tells us, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” For those who have yet to turn to Christ for salvation, aging reminds us that we are daily drawing closer to the end of our days. Life is a vapor, and every passing year makes us more aware of that reality. God is gracious in giving lost people time to repent and aging is a reminder that the sand of our days is running through the hourglass of our life and the end is drawing near.  

3. Aging may mean greater impact. Pete Scazzero, who wrote the best-selling book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,” indicates that our leadership influence and impact can increase with age. In a recent podcast, he shared observations from older leaders that indicated our greatest leadership influence and impact may come in our 60s, 70s and even into our 80s. Growing old does not mean we must grow ineffective. The key to leadership effectiveness is to keep learning and growing so God can use us to add value to others.  

4. Aging can be an opportunity to slow down. My work, like most people today, is demanding and I love it. I thrive in an environment that includes challenges, variety and gospel-advancing opportunity. At the end of most days, I am invigorated — but I am also tired. While I love work, I do not want to work at my current pace until I die. Aging may be an opportunity to slow down and work less.  

5. Aging can allow us to make needed adjustments. Many grandfathers are making up for the time they failed to spend with their own children by investing heavily in time with their grandchildren. Course adjustments come in life when we realize we have put too much time and energy in the wrong things while neglecting relational priorities. Many — both men and women — have made the decision to invest more time in their family and friends as they age.  

6. Aging means we are getting closer to heaven. I am challenged and encouraged by those aging saints who have an eye on home — their eternal home. Those who have known the Savior and walked with Him through life are role models for the rest of us. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people and the place where we will meet our Savior face to face. Aging means we are getting closer to that glorious reality.  

7. Aging reminds us to make the most of our days. One of my favorite aging stories comes from a now-deceased Kentucky Baptist pastor who, on his 72^nd birthday, knelt beside his desk and prayed, “Lord I don’t know how many days I have left, but however many I have I want them to count for you.” After arising from his prayer, he was invited on a mission trip to Cuba and decided to become a foster parent along with his wife. His days counted for Christ until the very end. 

Many people grow bitter with age. My prayer for myself, and for you, is that in many ways and by God’s grace we can all grow better with age.