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While we can appreciate the wonder of the human body, there are times when we may be ready to leave it.
One of my aging friends said, “I liked my body better when it did not remind me it was there.”
Our bodies constantly change from the moment of their creation to the end of their use on earth. When we are younger, we accept the changes with great anticipation. We are growing and we can hardly wait for the next stage.
When we become older, we do not always anticipate the next growth cycle with Joy. But it is the way the body is designed. God intended that we keep growing and that means getting “new clothes,” so to speak.
Our bodies begin to change. And one day, we will have a big growth spurt and get heavenly clothes instead of earthly clothes.
But in the meantime, how do we handle each growing season with joy?
First of all, know that while our external bodies may change, God, Who is in us never changes.
Also we must remember our bodies are not the real us. Our bodies are coverings, temporary housing, rental cars, so to speak. They will rust out or wear out. But what is inside us is ageless, timeless and everlasting.
Appreciate the magnificence of your body, but know it is designed for an earth season only. Just as you did not resist any growing season of your youth, you can treat aging the same way.
I have often written about our experiences with a Sunday School class of people in their 80s and 90s.
In contrast to our 40 and 50 year old something friends, who were already agonizing about changes in their bodies, these 80s and 90s dear saints reported excitedly “I’m almost 100.” And some said, “I’m almost Home!”
Anticipating the great growth spur that will allow us to wear heavenly clothes should be something, not to dread, but to anticipate with Joy.
My father got his heavenly clothes at age 96. But he observed very matter of factly long before that, “The young may die, but the old must die.” It is God’s Design.
We are on earth to carry out our part of God’s Great Mission, but it is not an easy task. Satan cannot kill us. In fact, he does not even want to.
He would much rather have a God Follower who quit while on earth than one safe from his grasp in Heaven. So as your aging body does not act like your younger body, satan will seize the opportune moment.
He will cast doubts about why God did not have better warranty repair of his aging bodies. He will tell you that you are finished, washed up,useless, no longer relevant in the world.
He will point out everything you lost that you can never get back. Note satan will never point out what you have gained in giving up some of what you had. He does not use words like “change.” He uses words like “loss.”
He will tell you God must not want you or He would have taken you Home by now. Most of all, he will try to keep you focused on yourself. He will tempt you to complain to anyone who will listen.
Once again, remember satan’s goal is to run out the clock. Take as many precious moments as he can away from your doing God’s Work.
How do you deal with that pesky rebel angel? Know The Truth. Live The Truth.
You are here on assignment with God.
You are with Him inside a temporary body.
You will stay here until God moves you up and gives you new clothes.
No matter how worn your present clothes are, God is still working with you inside to complete the mission.
He will show you how to continue the mission as the body changes. He will teach you different ways to use your body.
You will not lose anything. But things will change. You will need to learn how to accept changes, knowing God has The Plan and He will work everything together for good.
You must stay focused on Him and all those He is calling you to minister to in His Power. If He gives you the assignment, He will give you the strength and resources to complete it.
You can anticipate with Joy a future great homecoming, but it is not here yet. Until it is time, The Lord wants you working. He may change things, but he has no retirement plans for you on earth.
Even though we may be having growth pains as we get older, as long as The Lord has us assigned here, He has work for us to do. Accept His Assignments and know He has The Plan.
When Jesus was close to giving up His earthly Body, He told His Father,
“I have brought You Glory on earth by finishing The Work You gave Me to do.”
John 17:4
And that is our mission, as long as we are in this body. So whatever stage of growth you are in, do all you are called to do to The Glory of God!
