“They shall still bear fruit in old age . . be fresh and flourishing.” Psalm 92:14 NKJV
“Age only accents what you were in your youth, for better or worse.”
My thoughts today are about “staying fruitful.”
I have an upcoming birthday in just a few days, and it is one of those dangerously close to approaching a new decade. This last decade has never been a concern to me; I saw it as sort of an achievement. However, approaching this new decade seems foreign and a little apprehensive, though even that may be too strong of a word. It’s just that I have never visited here before, and now I am being asked to get used to living there. I wonder when birthdays shifted from enticing me with anticipation and began prompting me to a bit more reflection.
In reflecting this year, I find fresh anticipation in the Psalmist’s words, “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright . .” Psalm 92:13-15 NKJV. Some random observations: notice where you will flourish – in the safety and authority of God; notice why you need to flourish – to testify of God’s faithful dependability. It takes time to build a credible testimony – “they shall bear fruit in old age.”
I have enjoyed a good life – blessed more than I deserve, surrounded with friends better than myself, and enjoying opportunities I did not foresee. I have no doubts about how fairly God, life, and people have treated me. Undeniably, there is much that youth affords; so enjoy every moment of that season and build unforgettable memories and gather irreplaceable friends. Age only accents what you were in your youth, for better or worse.
Life is not one bundle of years, but rather a collection of seasons. Each season is as important and divinely assigned as the others. Someone has written, “Certain people . . never lose their attractiveness. It just moves from their face to their heart.” Great people – like violins, fine wine, and great literature, artwork, and architecture – only become more valuable and well regarded with age. There are valuable things that age brings to one’s life such as experience, perspective, appreciation, understanding, incredible memories, and friendships trusted and cherished. Age is not an excuse for settling for less; it is an opportunity for reaping the dividends from every investment of yourself that you ever made in your marriage and family, friendships, career, other people’s lives, and things more eternal.
I wonder what age David was when he wrote, “Oh the joys of those . . who delight in doing everything the Lord wants . . they are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3 NLT. I will celebrate this upcoming birthday with the prayer and expectation that God’s Word will be found true in my life by my family and those who shared my journey along the way.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “As we grow old . . the beauty steals inward.” May Jesus’ words be true in your life and mine, “I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear much fruit, and that your fruit would remain.” John 15:16 NAS. Fruit that increases and lasts is your goal.
My prayer for you today is that every season will bear remarkable fruitfulness.