Have you noticed that our culture and every social media platform proclaims if your skin isn’t free of wrinkles, you have “love handles”, your muscles are not tone, or if you do not have the energy of a three year old – you are: “less than”?
According to an article in Psychology Today, a study group was asked to reduce their social media use. They had an average 15% improvement in immune function (reporting fewer colds and flu, etc), a 50% improvement in sleep quality, and the group reported 30% fewer depression symptoms.
Scrolling social media platforms are not helping my view of the “older me.” I have gotten sucked in a number of times with promises for more energy, weight loss or a body that is oblivious to the natural limitations the calendar brings.
Now that I am working much less and am home more often, I am experiencing that oppressive feeling of being “less than.”
Turning seventy this year has humbled me. Prior to my entering this new life stage, I read books on retirement and aging. However, I am now realizing that unless you are actually in the water, there is no reasonable person who would say with honesty that they know what “wet” feels like.
My body loudly reminds me that I am no longer in my thirties. I have transitioned from racing against the sun to accomplish my daily tasks, to longing for a moon that invites me to rest. The darkening of the sky declaring the end another has become my happy place.
Traveling up and down our staircase is no longer an opportunity to burn calories, but a challenging and often painful way to get from point a to point b. As a child my dream home always included a staircase, but now I understand why the stairlifts are so popular!
The cherry on top of my aging woes is that I have recently realized I am either shrinking or my kitchen cabinets have strangely been raised up at least an inch. I always thought that only “old people” experienced shrinking. As an adult I am a tree topping 5 feet 0 inches. With school starting again, I am fearful a yellow bus will stop and try to pick me up to take me to the nearest Junior High.
Thanks be to God that when I slow down and turn my eyes and heart to heaven and away from myself, He comforts me with His unchanging truth.1
Scripture teaches that this body is a tent, not a fortress or a castle. It is temporary. As the temple of the Holy Spirit, and being bought with a price, it is not mine. I am not to worship it, but rather I am called to worship the One who dwells in me.2
My tent has been through many battles, with more to come on this side of Heaven. But the battles belong to The Lord. I do not need to trust in chariots or horses, but in the strong name of God. Certainly not in this failing body.3
I have experienced many decades of life now. Through each and every season my gracious Lord has established deeper and wider faith roots. I have no reason to doubt this process will continue throughout the rest of my life. This is an awesome promise to look forward to. Regardless of the effects of gravity on this body, He began the work in me will be faithful to complete it.4
He has good plans for me; plans to prosper and not harm. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. If I trust in the Lord and don’t lean on my own understanding, He will make my paths straight. He is the Vine, and I am only the branch. When I dwell in Him, and He in me, I will bear much fruit. A tree planted by living water will bear its fruit in season and its leaves will not wither.5-8
Social media can provide entertainment by creating scenes of human-like behavior in cats and dogs. But beyond that, it offers nothing in the hope of me growing stronger in ways that will make an eternal difference. The claims I can become invincible in my twilight years are of little use when reality tells me I am one step closer to heaven every day. Social media ignores the very natural limitations aging brings but the word of God presents a very different picture. One of a growing and deeper faith as I trust in Him in all things at all times.10
The variety of new ways I imagined and hoped to serve God may not become a reality. But He assures me He has plans for me and blessings beyond my dreams or imagination. He is not done with me yet. He is more than able to accomplish in me and through me much more than social media can offer! 9
Be blessed family!
Karen
- Colossians 3:12
- 2 Corinthians 5:1
- Psalm 20:7
- Philippians 1:6
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Philippians 4:13
- John 15:1-7
- Psalm 1:3
- Philippians 1:6
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