Life Never Gets Old

I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one. - 1 John 2:13

Age is valued in African cultures. Which was a good thing when I went overseas, because I was already beginning to accumulate some. Of course, advancing years should also imply increasing wisdom, but unfortunately it sometimes results in a stagnant spiritual life and stunted spiritual growth.

In this verse, John wrote that older believers had come to a greater understanding of God's eternal nature. While they had already "learned" this truth, they also were continuing to understand it more and more with each passing day. In other words, mature believers should be life-long learners.

I continue to be in the "learning" mode as we are firmly in the "last quarter." In Africa, the challenges were language, culture, and simply how to live. Now, they are more about faithfulness, perseverance, and purpose. It is humbling, yet my dependence on Christ and His provision continues to increase. This, of course, is one way to be sure that even though I may get older, life never gets old.

Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth. - Tom Barrett