Reflections on Aging and Faith

I heard it as soon as I walked in from the garage: “chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp.”

Thinking it was time to replace a smoke alarm battery, or something similar, I walked around the house, listening.

Every minute or so the sound returned, “chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp.”

Where was it coming from?!

Finally, I found the culprit—a carbon monoxide alarm in the master bedroom. I promptly replaced the battery; problem solved.

Twenty minutes later: “chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp.”

Ok, this was starting to annoy me.😵‍💫

I opened the back of the alarm to check the battery. It was installed correctly. Putting the cover back on I noticed an alarm guide. Written in mice type, there it was: “5 chirps per minute – end of life- replace alarm.”

I didn’t know such things had an expiration date.


Which leads me to a deeply philosophical question, “Do people have a shelf life?”

Will I wake up one morning, look in the bathroom mirror, and hear “chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp?”

Go back to bed, dude. You’re done.

Seriously, middle-age, and beyond, brings mixed emotions. Satisfaction mingles with regret. And the thoughts of the day are:

Have I conducted myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?” Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

Have I lived a life (thus far) that is worthy of the calling I have received?” Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)

God knows.

In the meantime, here’s a prayer for both of us:

Since my youth O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. 

Psalm 71:17-18 (NIV)

Kind reader, what are your thoughts on growing older in the Lord? Please share your unique and valuable perspective. 

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️

Oh, and let’s see what Rainer over at The Devotional Guy has to say on the topic of aging and faith. What’s your word, my brother?


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33 responses to “Reflections on Aging and Faith”

  1. kweni kweni Avatar

    Nice! I hope you read mine too! Btw, I am new here, please visit my blog❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  2. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Amen, Cindy! Age does bring perspective—especially when we trust in God’s reality. Thank you for reading and commenting!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Amen, brother! Thank you for the ping back.

    Like

  4. Cindy Dawson Avatar

    At 73 years of age, I realize how this life really is “a mist that appears  for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) How quickly time has passed! Things I thought at the time were of utmost importance, now I can barely remember! What I do remember is that God has always loved me and He has never left me. He has been faithful through it all. What a mighty God we serve! Blessings, David! ✝️

    Liked by 1 person

  5. […] recent days, I  have been blessed in reading the posts of Rainer Bantau and David Duncan on the subject of growing older in our faith. Before you read my contribution to the ageing […]

    Liked by 1 person

  6. seekingdivineperspective Avatar

    I think the older we get, the more faith means to us. Young people tend to be blissfully ignorant, but old age is another matter altogether. I can’t imagine watching my body deteriorate, believing this life is all there is! As it is, I’m so, so grateful for “divine perspective,” as I look back on my (many) failures and lessons learned, and to the future and all that my Savior has promised me through His grace.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It’s great that you see your faults and failures through the lens of God’s grace, Pastor Pete. This is what I want in my own life, as I grow older. Thank you for stopping by. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. pastorpete51 Avatar

    The older I get the clearer I see my faults and failures and the greater my gratefulness for God’s truly astonishing grace!

    Liked by 2 people

  9. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Your comment makes me think of my own mother, who died in 2011. She was a person of deep faith, but was not outspoken about it. However, as the time for her passing came, she clearly had heaven in view—literally! From her bed she sang praise to God and her faith grew stronger, rather than weaker. Beth, it was like she looking over to the other side, and had no fear of death!

    The verse you quoted is regularly the first thing I say before my feet hit the floor every morning. I love your accompanying prayer!

    Thank you for taking the time to read, contemplate, and comment. God Bless!

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Beth Alisan Avatar

    A very though provoking question David. I am like Betty. I have watched my grandparents and parents stand firm in their faith through the challenges that come with aging- cancer, health crisis, loss of spouse. To me they are part of the great cloud of witnesses that go before me setting the example. Lately, I’ve found myself embarking into each day with an old scripture song “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” My accompanying prayer is that I will live the day and whatever it holds to His glory, in His Word, and doing His work. In that I hope I growing each day older in the Lord.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Right on, brother!

    Like

  12. Aging with Purpose: A Journey in Faith – The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    […] friend David shared his Reflections on Aging and Faith contemplating what growing older as a child of God looks like as he discovered his smoke detector […]

    Liked by 1 person

  13. peggywritesblog Avatar

    Thank you, David.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Blessings to you as well, friend!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. peggywritesblog Avatar

    So true! Blessings, friend.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Peggy. Yes, it’s a time to contemplate our existence like never before.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. peggywritesblog Avatar

    Great post, David! As we get older we hope we have done all we can to share with the next generation

    Liked by 1 person

  18. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I read your post and it is truly inspirational, Betty! It was your grandpa’s faith that saw him through–literally until the very end of his earthly life. What a story!! Thank you for sharing. You are welcome to post a link in the comments anytime!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Betty Avatar

    David, I have been fortunate enough to have witnessed my parents and grandparents aging. And I’ve witnessed their faith. Forgive me for posting a link, but a few years back I wrote a guest post about faith and ..well, dying. I pray for faith as strong as my grandfather’s faith was when it was his time. https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/79169819/posts/2440

    Liked by 2 people

  20. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I believe it! It comes through in your comments and I your writing. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I like that: pray over my past failures and ask God to bless those I did not. He’s in charge, anyway. We all have feet of clay.

    Liked by 2 people

  22. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I understand your dilemma, brother, and have been there before. Electronic devices today are created with planned obsolescence in mind. Thankfully, God allows us to keep serving—all the way to heaven! Thank you, Lord! Blessings to you and Susan, as well. 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

    Liked by 2 people

  23. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Agreed. Like David said, “Teach us to number our days, so that we may have a heart of wisdom.”

    I hope you don’t completely retire, as your life experiences and perspective are quite valuable. At least keep writing your blog, please. ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

  24. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Amen, sister! And always looking forward to what God is doing next.

    Liked by 2 people

  25. davidsdailydose Avatar

    “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” Luke 17:10 (NIV)

    Thank you for sharing this scripture, Ken. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. ken riddles Avatar

    My thoughts reflect yours – always think of Luke 17/10

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Bridget Avatar

    Something I remind myself of lately is that – I only have this moment. I’m not guaranteed another. So I should live this moment in the best way possible.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    Aging is something I’ve been increasingly aware of myself, as I contemplate retirement. The truth is, I only have so much life left to live life well. So, at the moment, I am often thinking about how best to use this time I am allotted ….

    Liked by 2 people

  29. Alan Kearns Avatar

    This is very pertinent to recent discussions in our house at present regarding my Sansung s7 tablet; the battery is failing badly and we are doing a cost analysis on whether to replace the battery or the whole thing. I never knew that batteries would be so complicated or expensive. I often reflect on my wasted years as a young believer, and how I can make best use of my time for Jesus in my middle/senior years. Indeed I feel an increasing urgent need to share the Good News as I grow older, and in the impending close return of our Lord. It certainly is a matter of life and death. God bless you and Nancy today 🙏 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Liked by 4 people

  30. jesusluvsall Avatar

    Isaiah 46:4-
    Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
    I have certainly experienced Jesus sustaining me. I have also developed the habit of praying over my failures in the past for Jesus to bless people I have not.

    Liked by 3 people

  31. joynealkidney Avatar

    80 and aging gratefully

    Liked by 2 people

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