“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
–2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

Did you ever win a contest when you were young? Do you remember the thrill of that moment? Well, when I was a child, I thought it was the greatest thing to have my name called over the airwaves, and I would like to tell you about it.

I found out that a local radio station I enjoyed was having a contest. They had an “oldies-but-goodies” format, and they played 50’s music. (You might not believe it, but that music was called old even back then.) When I heard there was going to be a contest, I listened to that station with rapt attention. When they told us it was time to call, I dialed the phone number with feverish intensity, and when I found out I was the lucky caller, I gasped out loud.

Although many of those “old” songs weren’t familiar to me, I learned to appreciate them by listening to them over and over. In contrast to my appreciation for these songs, we Americans have become obsessed with a youthful culture, which wants to put away anything that concerns aging. We warehouse people who are growing older, while more and more products and services promising youth and beauty line our shelves.

As we pretend that this life will last forever, there is an irony that constantly haunts us. Namely, we try and run from the fact that we are all growing older, whether we like it or not.

The problem is that we obviously do not view life in the same way that God does. He sees every life as precious, containing meaning and value, and until He is through with a person, they do not have an expiration date attached to them. Instead of an external view of life, we need to look at the picture which the scriptures paint.

While the cells in our bodies are dying, Paul suggests that we can be renewed daily by the life of Christ. I believe this means concentrating on what we can do in and through Him, and not on what we can’t do in our own strength. we need to be just as attentive to the Lord as a good waiter in a restaurant, who is conscious of the needs of those enjoying a meal. As we make ourselves at home in Him through prayer and the Word, we will find this consciousness growing, and the Bible promises a renewal of strength. In its pages, we see that we can find a new vitality in Christ, which brings new meaning and purpose.

Furthermore, I don’t believe that being old has to do with chronological age alone. If it does, in fact, mean being drained and tired, a person can feel old at any age.

I believe that Jesus wants all of us who know Him to live dynamic lives, which are focusing predominantly on the heart instead of the outward shell. If we do this, we will experience His renewing power, which can move us from winter to spring at any time in our lives.

Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 377 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 260, Placentia, CA 92870. Finally, you’re always welcome to join our Monday night Bible study or Tuesday night prayer meeting. Both are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 5:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 712-775-7031, and our ID is 607518748. We hope to talk with you soon!

If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.