What if we could enjoy the wisdom of age and experience and the vibrancy and beauty of youth at the same time? Would you like that? The Bible says that’s God’s desire for us.
God created us to live forever. But since the fall our bodies decay with age. Paul compared life in these bodies to camping in temporary tents. He reminds us that to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-9).
I’m thankful God promises new bodies that will surpass the best our current ones can offer even in their peak. The change will be better than trading a rusty bicycle for a new sports car that has more power, amenities, and pizazz. We won’t change from an ordinary caterpillar into a souped-up one with faster legs and a more exotic color. The change will be more like going from an ugly caterpillar to an exquisite butterfly.
Reading Paul’s description of our resurrection bodies in 1 Corinthians 15:35-50 reminds me of flower bulbs. Consider an amaryllis bulb. Without prior knowledge, no one could look at that drab bulb and imagine the beautiful flower waiting to blossom. Our resurrected bodies will surpass our present bodies even more than the amaryllis flower outshines its bulb. We’ll experience beauty, health, wisdom and agelessness.
As an amaryllis is still connected to the bulb, so our new bodies are related to this present body. We will feel right at home in them, because we will finally be home. Our seemingly impossible longing for the best that both youth and age can offer will become reality—forever strong, lovely, wise, and mature.
Aging with Reurrection Hope
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV).
What hope! Every new creak, wrinkle, or loss reminds us that though the outer body is wearing out, it will be renewed. To live in that hope, we must focus:
- Not on what is seen – wrinkles, gray hair, bum knees…,
- But on the unseen – the promises of God, the hope of heaven,
- Not on what is temporary – this body, this world,
- But on what’s eternal – heaven, Jesus, His Word, loved ones.
Then we won’t lose heart. For the believer, the best is yet to come.
I invite you to join me at Linda Rondeau’s site where she shares my post “God Fulfills Our Deepest Loingings.”
Aging with Hope: God’s Promise for Those in Christ #AgingGracefully, #ResurrectionHope Share on XBlessings,
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#MondayLinkUp #InstaEncouragements, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
Thank you, Debbie, for that great reminder. It seems I turn to those passages more frequently every year!
Yesterday was Larry’s birthday. When our birthdays roll around now, we’re reminded of how short life is! Great to hear from you.
That is such wonderful hope!
Yes, and the older I get the more wonderful it becomes!
Not sure how anyone faces the indignity of aging without the hope of resurrection!
I agree!
I once heard a radio preacher say that one reason our bodies start falling apart as we get older is to make us more willing to let loose of them. I agree with Michele–I don’t know how people face old age and beyond without the hope of the resurrection.
Barbara, that makes sense because when you’re young you take feeling good for granted.
hi
“Our seemingly impossible longing for the best that both youth and age can offer will become reality—forever strong, lovely, wise, and mature.” Debbie, these words bring such comfort, encouragement, and hope this morning. Grateful you shared them!
Thank you, Joanne. This encourages me too. God will fulfill our deepest longings because they come from Him.
I played golf yesterday and my body protests today. I needed to read this to be reminded of what I know to be true. Much wisdom in your post and the comments. Thank you.
I’m with you, Candyce. I never know when mine will talk back to me. 🙂
“Aging with Reurrection Hope” is such a beautiful way to give me hope as I age. Changes my whole mindset. Thanks Debbie
Thanks, Yvonne!
The thought of being an ugly caterpillar and become a beautiful butterfly is wonderful to imagine. We have so much to look forward to. I enjoyed your message, Debbie.
Katherine, I love that thought too! I’m glad God has provided so many examples in nature to illustrate His eternal truths.
In a time when youth and artificial attempts to reduce aging are emphasized in our culture, your post was refreshing and encouraging. Thank you for giving an eternal perspective.
In a time when youth and artificial attempts to reduce aging are emphasized in our culture, your post was refreshing and encouraging. Thank you for giving an eternal perspective.