I wonder…
I wonder why it is that some people manage to stay alive and vibrant all their lives. Meanwhile, others seem to have their "moment" and then the remainder of their lives they seem to be idling in traffic.
John Gardner, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, spoke at the commencement ceremony at Stanford University on June 16, 1991. In the middle ’60s, Gardner wrote a book, entitled Self-Renewal, that dealt with the decay and the renewal of societies, organizations, and individuals. He reflected on this in his commencement speech and said:
I explored the question of why civilizations die and how they sometime renew themselves, and the puzzle of why some men and women go to seed while others remain vital all of their lives… I’m talking about people who have stopped learning or growing or trying… I do worry about men and women functioning far below the level of their possibilities… As you settle into your adult lives, you cannot write off the danger of complacency, boredom, and a growing rigidity, imprisoned by your own comfortable habits and opinions. A famous French writer once said, "There are people whose clocks stop at a certain point in their lives."
Unfortunately, some people have clocks that stopped a long time ago. Perhaps at 40, 50, or 60 years of age, a kind of dullness set in. For whatever reason, they began to shut down. Then there are other people who have never stopped laughing, growing, learning, and asking questions.
I’m curious. Is there someone in your world who has managed to remain fully alive through the years? What do you notice about them? How do they seem to stay fully alive?
I agree with you, Jim. Many people just stop living. My dad is someone that I feel is fully alive. Even with the death of mom, he still gets out there and experiences life. He still tries new things and continues to live. I think it is more of an attitude than what you do.
It was Lincoln, I think, who said something like, "People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." That’s it. People make decisions about how they’ll respond to the challenges and disappointments (as well as the opportunities for joy and wonder) in their lives. I also think that some of it stems from the disposition a person is born with.
My dad is 84 years old and still manages to enjoy life each and every day. I know that his motto has always been to look for the good in life and find someone to help each day.
Today I blogged about the idea of being a life-giver because we are so closely connected to Christ.
I am convinced that the most fully alive people are those who openly radiate Jesus at any age.
I think right away of my 90 year young Mother who still drives, gardens,shops,reads lives in her own home….health issues yes but they don’t seem slow her down much. What an amazing lady and an example for me at 60!:):)
Kathy B.
I’m only jumping in as a newbie here, but what a great topic. I’ve been wondering about myself in this regard. Has my clock stopped? I feel kind of caught in the middle–I feel dull in regards to church life, because after years of service in leadership I’ve become burned out and disappointed. And yet I still have a full life of laughter, learning, living and loving–only it’s pretty much void of the driveness of local church ministry. I find myself in a quandry at times. I’m still searching for answers.
Jim:
I just has a parishioner die at the ripe young age of 102, and she was fully alive up until the end; and I am convinced that she was so alive because her one purpose in life was to glorify God in everything. It was clearly evident to everyone who knew her.
I had a dear "father" who recently passed away. He had Parkinsons for years, but he never once stopped being alive…not until he lapsed into a coma at the very end. He attended every Bible study until he was hospitalized, even though he could no longer either concentrate, understand or turn the pages. He was there for us. I don’t know what makes some people stop, but i know that I pray that I am like my "dad". He was a true unsung hero of the faith. I miss him and I look forward to seeing him again.
This is a good topic for us middle agers!! I attend a church where the average age is over 60 and folks in their late 70s are still serving in positions of leadership. My SS teacher is 76 and just bought a Saturn Sky!! My mother, recently widowed, is 83 plays bridge every week and runs circles around me. These people inspire me. They still dream, there’s still fire inside. It makes me feel good hanging around them as I’m hopeful my own fire stays lit.
Jim, I’m sure I’ve known a number. But I’m thinking of a man, a pastor who was ever vibrant with the love and joy of God and ever humble. Even with battling cancer as he was older he did not quit but was giving seminars on prayer in his denomination.
I think a strong sense of mission is vital and also a desire to be near God in Christ, seeking to please him and keep growing. In other words I’m thinking of commitment that is ongoing and effort on our parts.
But reliance on the Spirit of God is so important too. I wonder if some of the struggle so many experience in our lives is because we really don’t think the Spiriit’s work in our lives is that vital or important. I think that may often be the case.
Thanks, Jim for this post and quote. Good to think on.
Or maybe we’re not hungry enough (your blog title).
N.T. Wright wrote that he thinks people’s Christian lives may be anemic because their views of Jesus are anemic and domesticated. An interesting thought.
George,It is so good to hear about these people you mentioned. They sound fully alive. How wonderful.
Jackie-Mary-Kathy-What a blessing that each of you can point to parents who are modeling this for you! No doubt this will impact the way you age as well.
Frank,Thanks for that line from Lincoln. There really is much to be said for a person’s attitude toward whatever challenges one might face in life.
Arlene,I like that! I need to read your post. Thanks very much.
Iain,What a tribute to this man! Wow. He sounds like someone made you richer for having known him.
Karen,So glad you jumped in! Lots of people can identify with you, I am sure–being burned out and disappointed after years of church work.The good news is that apparently you are still able to laugh, learn, and live.God may use you in a "church ministry" of some kind or he may not. Yet, I am convinced that some of the most powerful work God does is ministry through ordinary people in everyday life, though it may not flow out of an "organized ministry" of any kind.Hope you will comment again!
Thanks Ted–I think you are right. I think many of us do not think the Spirit’s work in our lives is not that vital or important. In fact, some of us may even wonder if the Spirit is doing anything in our lives.
Allan,102. Wow.What a legecy to leave with people–that you remained fully alive up until your death.
I really like Ted’s quoting of NT wright, I know looking across the oldest generation in our church, there is a particular couple who are really ALIVE in our church, and I would say they are the most ‘fruitful’ in ministry also, really being a part of the adventure and living life seeking God, on the otherside I have seen people even younger than me, just leaving school trying to find a groove in life with a job and resigning themselves until retirement, with little or no goal but money.
I also think an eternal mindset helps us keep alive and living with purpose.
Liam,A great comment!How sad to see very young people already settling in to a life of status quo, materialism, etc.I think you are right on target regarding the importance of keeping an eternal perspective toward life.