Ageless aging, is there such a thing? Is there a fountain of youth? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2018, Americans spent 16.5 billion dollars on cosmetic surgery. Some surgeries are necessary due to accidents or illness. But many are in the pursuit of looking forever young. There are books, magazines, and TV advertisements enticing us to pursue youthfulness.
The truth is no matter the surgery, the cost and use of moisturizer, or our eating and exercise habits, at some point, our physical life will end. Scripture reminds us in Psalm 139:16, “your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
I take good care of myself. I eat healthily and exercise regularly; surprisingly, I even lost a few pounds during the COVID19 pandemic. But none of these things kept me from finding myself flat on my face in front of Staples because I didn’t see the curb, thanks to my failing depth perception. I am happy to report that I didn’t suffer the additional embarrassment of having an audience as I went down. It was a private lesson in humility.
Renewed from the Inside Out
I will continue to take care of myself, but eventually, I will depart from this life and enter eternity. Unless the Lord comes first, something will cause my earthly demise. There is one aspect of my life that is ageless; my spiritual life. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul states, “though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day.” God’s plan is ageless aging. With the proper attention to spiritual food and exercise, our inner life becomes more robust, not weaker. Our spiritual life is what we take into eternity. Instead of diminished beauty, we become more lovely because we become more like Jesus. Instead of decaying, we are renewed from the inside out. There is a timeless beauty in a person who loves and reflects the Lord, no matter how many wrinkles she or he may have.
What produces ageless aging? The most beautiful women I know nurture their spirits and strengthen their spiritual core by studying and applying God’s word. Their hearts are soft, and their spirits are strong. They have a daily practice of worshiping God no matter what the circumstances are in their life. Worship is not the practice of denial but the acceptance that God is in control and working on their behalf even when they can’t see the outcome. They know how to declare with the Psalmist, “This is the day that the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it.” (Psalm 118:24) They have a grateful heart. The Apostle Paul tells us to “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other and beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful” Colossians 3:12b-15. The more I study scripture, the more I realize I have a choice in what I feed my soul.
The Nurtured Inner Spirit
Every day is an opportunity to prepare for the inevitable event that ushers me into eternity. I have the choice to spend time with Jesus in prayer, studying His word, following His example, and being open to what God is revealing. As I acknowledge my needs and yield them to the Holy Spirit, I exercise my spiritual muscles and increase my spiritual muscle memory. My body will never look like it did at 20, 30, or even 50, but God’s word reminds me that a woman who loves and follows the Lord has a beauty that is far beyond any physical appearance. Many of the most beautiful women I know are in their 80s and 90s. Their beauty comes from a nurtured inner spirit that shines with the glory of God despite their physical limitations. I love being around them. The Spirit of God shines through them. Their love of Jesus draws me not only to them but to the Lord. They have spent their lives cultivating the soil of their soul.
There is no question physical aging is challenging and often includes depression and loss. The physical world of the elderly often shrinks, but God will continue to do great things in our life as we put our trust in Him. Our physical bodies will eventually fail. Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as the Spirit of the Lord.”
This is ageless aging.
Blessings,
Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.
Scripture for Meditation
Is there a secret to ageless aging? Here are some passages to help you meditate on what being ageless means in the Christian life.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV – For we are God’s handiwork (His masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Peter 3:4 ESV – But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Proverbs 3:15-18 ESV – She (Wisdom) is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJ) – Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Psalm 34:5 ESV – Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV – He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Music for Reflection
Beauty for the ages! Here are some songs following my new post, Ageless Aging. Enjoy!
