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Staying Young

August 23





Staying Young


Since the days of Ponce de Leon, people have been searching for the illusive fountain of youth. With all the advancements of medical science, we still haven’t found the magic elixir—the best we can do is give a person a more youthful appearance by promoting a healthy lifestyle or by using cosmetics or cosmetic surgery. No matter what we do, we all get a day older every twenty-four hours.

Though no one has figured out how to stop the aging process, scientists do know what causes it. According to Amy Ellis Nutt, “We age not because our cells die but because they stop dividing.” (Reader’s Digest, November 2003, p. 74)

Nothing can stay the same, either it is growing (giving of itself by dividing) or it is deteriorating. What is true of our cells is true of our faith. The minute we shift into a self-preservation mode and are only concerned about our needs, and ourselves we begin to deteriorate spiritually. That’s why it is so important to serve the Lord and to give to His work. Not only does our service and donations make a difference for Kingdom causes, they help keep us spiritually young and vibrant.

Spiritual vitality has nothing to do with chronological age and everything to do with attitude. While I was in Albuquerque, I was privileged to have two retired pastors in the church, both of whom went to be with the Lord during my tenure. At each of their funerals, I was able to relate stories about ministry they were doing the final week of their lives. Though their bodies wore out, their spirits never did. They served well to the end.

Whether you are young or old physically, you can stay young spiritually if you will continue to grow.

“Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.” (Colossians 3:2–3 HCSB)


Jim L. Wilson, Fresh Start Devotionals (Fresno, CA: Willow City Press, 2009).

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