As I Get Older, I Want to Get Younger

Bob Dylan, folk and rock singer legend, wrote a 1964 song called My Back Pages. It reflected on Dylan’s earlier idealism and included this line: “Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.” Dylan wrote it to say he had matured in his thinking but at the same time had somehow gotten younger.

As a Christ follower, I too want to get younger as I get older. Here’s how I’m trying to do that:

Staying physically active

I’ve quit lamenting what I cannot do anymore. I do what I can. The Bible tells us we’re indivisible beings, both body and soul. When I’m physically active, I can do more mentally. I’m also emotionally more available for people in my life.

I inherited a poor genetic history from my father. So I see my doctor on a regular basis. I watch my weight (actually I watch it go up in the winter and down in the summer?). I eat pretty well…except for Ocean Rolls from Sparrow Bakery!

We’re not disembodied spirits. What I do (or don’t do physically) affects my soul and vice versa.

Keep learning

The word disciple (cf. Luke 6:40) in the NT comes from a verb to learn. Sure I want to grow in Bible and theological knowledge. I still preach and teach pretty regularly so I’m forced to learn.

But I try to read broadly, even people I disagree with. Reading makes me think and grow.

For example, a group of us recently tackled C.S. Lewis’s book, The Problem of Pain. It kicked my butt. I was mentally exhausted after reading it. But I grew and learned. I’m a better Christ follower for having done it.

Whether it’s a new insight into a Bible passage or better way to rig my flyrod, I want to learn. And as I learn, even though I’m getting older, I believe I’m getting younger.

Become convinced more than ever of the faith essentials

I know Christ followers value some doctrines and practices more than others. But I’m talking about the essential truths outlined in the early creeds. Or some of the doctrinal statements that arose out of the Protestant Reformation.

I like the ten-point doctrinal statement of the denomination of my ordination, the Evangelical Free Church of America. It covers the essentials but allows latitude in other matters. To be sure, I have strong convictions on some of these other matters. But I have greater confidence in those essentials the Church over its history has deemed as fundamental.

Paul wrote to his young pastor friend Timothy to “continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of” (2 Timothy 3:14 NASB). What a great command to follow!

Listen more; talk less

As I get older, I don’t want to lose my filter. I don’t want to blurt out whatever comes into my mind. I’ve always liked Proverbs 19:20 in the NASB: “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable; but whoever restrains his lips is wise.”

I want to be that guy. Ask more questions than give answers. Strategically speak into a situation only after having thought it through.

Make relationships a priority

As I get older, relationships become more important to me. Piling up experiences is fun but will I take time to grow in my relationship with God, my wife, my adult children, my grandchildren, my brothers and sisters in Christ, my unbelieving friends?

As I’ve written elsewhere, the essence of eternal life (John 17:3) is marked by the quality of existence demonstrated by our relationship with God. And I show my love for God by loving others. (1 John 4:20-21)

I want to be that guy that makes relationships a priority.

In conclusion, I’ve always liked Psalm 92:12-15, especially as I’ve gotten older:

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’”

OT scholars point out that palm trees and cedars of Lebanon symbolize strength, longevity, and desirability. They serve as a metaphor for what God’s people should look like even as they age. May we flourish, bear fruit, and stay fresh and green.

Paradoxically, as I get older, I want to get younger.